title: Development of metabolic syndrome components in adults with a healthy obese phenotype: a 3-year follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a lack of data on the progression from a healthy obese phenotype toward an unhealthy obese phenotype and the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Our aim was to assess the development of MetS 3 years after screening in centrally obese individuals with a healthy obese phenotype and to evaluate the usefulness of repeated screening.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-eight individuals (mean age 47 years, 88% female) with central obesity as their only MetS component (ATP III criteria) at baseline screening were re-evaluated for MetS status after 3 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At follow-up, the cardiometabolic risk profile in centrally obese individuals with a healthy phenotype showed a tendency toward deterioration. Thirty-two percent developed at least one additional MetS component, 7% had developed MetS. Nobody had developed type 2 diabetes. An increased triglyceride level (n = 16) and an increased blood pressure (n = 18) were the components most often present at follow-up. The people developing additional MetS components had a lower education level compared with the group that preserved the healthy centrally obese phenotype (80 vs. 71% lower educated, P = 0.35). They also had slightly worse baseline levels of the risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The number of centrally obese individuals developing an unhealthy phenotype in this relatively short follow-up period emphasizes the need for a regular surveillance of cardiometabolic parameters in centrally obese individuals. However, it is questionable whether a repeated screening for type 2 diabetes every 3 years, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association, in this category of patients is appropriate.
authors: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands. c.denengelsen-2@umcutrecht.nl
authors: C
authors: C
authors: den Engelsen
authors: K J
authors: KJ
authors: Gorter
authors: P L
authors: PL
authors: Salomé
authors: G E
authors: GE
authors: Rutten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014280:Triglycerides