Age-related anthropometric remodelling resulting in increased and redistributed adiposity is associated with increases in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese subjects.
BACKGROUND
Ageing promotes increases in the prevalence of components of the metabolic syndrome, which obesity often underlies.


METHODS
We report the relationship between ageing, obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors in 694 community-based Chinese subjects in gender-specific groups of three age ranges: 20.0-39.9 (young), 40.0-59.9 (middle-aged) and 60.0-79.9 (old-aged) years.


RESULTS
Body mass index (BMI) values were similar in males in each age group, but waist and percentage body fat increased (6.6, and 39.5%, both p < 0.001, respectively), from young to old-age groups, as did blood pressure and glycated haemoglobin levels (all p < 0.001). In the females, increases (all p < 0.001) in percentage body fat (29.3%) were accompanied by greater increases in BMI (10.3%) and waist (19.2%) than the males. Blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin, total and LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels increased linearly with age (all p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Age-related increases in central adiposity and percentage body fat were associated with increasingly adverse cardiovascular risk factor profiles.
Thomas
G Neil
GN
Department of Community Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR. gneilthomas@yahoo.co.uk
Tomlinson
Brian
B
Hong
Athena W L
AW
Hui
Stanley S C
SS
D000273:Adipose Tissue; D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001823:Body Composition; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002681:China; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D014280:Triglycerides