title: Impact of waist circumference reduction on cardiovascular risk in treated obese subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The World Health Organization reports that waist circumference (WC) independent of weight or body mass index (BMI) predicts cardiovascular risk. We undertook this study to determine the change of prevalence in comorbidities associated with obesity and cardiovascular risk after favorably modifying WC.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 153 nondiabetic patients with obesity (BMI =30 kg/m²) and WC in women =80 cm and in men =94 cm who entered a weight control program for 2 years. We evaluated the evolution of their anthropometric measurements and metabolic status. Ninety patients (58.8%) completed the study. With the prior acceptance of the patients, they received nutritional advice and psychological and physical activity support during their monthly visits. Also, anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were evaluated. At the beginning and after each 6 months, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were determined. At the beginning and at the end of study the Framingham risks were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 90 patients, 37 (group 1) decreased their WC: in women <80 cm and in men <94 cm. In 53 patients (group 2) there were no significant changes. Changes were shown in group 1 for blood pressure (from 36.6% to 21.6%), hyperglycemia >100 mg/dl decreased from 18.8% to 8.1%, triglycerides >150 mg/dl decreased from 28.8% to 18.9% and Framingham risk at 10 years decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a direct relationship between WC and cardiovascular risk. When WC decreases, cardiovascular risk is favorably modified. Measurement of WC is a good predictor of cardiovascular risk.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Factores de Riesgo Cardiovascular, Servicio de Cardiología, Clínica Integral de Obesidad, Hospital General de México, Secretaría de Salud, México, D. F., Mexico. gfangh@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fanghänel
authors.forename: Leticia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Reyes
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Félix-García
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Violante-Ortiz
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Campos-Franco
authors.forename: Luis Antonio
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Alcocer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003503:Cyclobutanes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D037001:Directive Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007783:Lactones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D000077403:Orlistat; D012306:Risk; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003503:Cyclobutanes; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007783:Lactones; D008055:Lipids; D000077403:Orlistat; C058254:sibutramine