title: Defining metabolically healthy obesity: role of dietary and lifestyle factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a current lack of consensus on defining metabolically healthy obesity (MHO). Limited data on dietary and lifestyle factors and MHO exist. The aim of this study is to compare the prevalence, dietary factors and lifestyle behaviours of metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese and non-obese subjects according to different metabolic health criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional sample of 1,008 men and 1,039 women aged 45-74 years participated in the study. Participants were classified as obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) and non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m(2)). Metabolic health status was defined using five existing MH definitions based on a range of cardiometabolic abnormalities. Dietary composition and quality, food pyramid servings, physical activity, alcohol and smoking behaviours were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of MHO varied considerably between definitions (2.2% to 11.9%), was higher among females and generally increased with age. Agreement between MHO classifications was poor. Among the obese, prevalence of MH was 6.8% to 36.6%. Among the non-obese, prevalence of metabolically unhealthy subjects was 21.8% to 87%. Calorie intake, dietary macronutrient composition, physical activity, alcohol and smoking behaviours were similar between the metabolically healthy and unhealthy regardless of BMI. Greater compliance with food pyramid recommendations and higher dietary quality were positively associated with metabolic health in obese (OR 1.45-1.53 unadjusted model) and non-obese subjects (OR 1.37-1.39 unadjusted model), respectively. Physical activity was associated with MHO defined by insulin resistance (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.19-2.92, p = 0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A standard MHO definition is required. Moderate and high levels of physical activity and compliance with food pyramid recommendations increase the likelihood of MHO. Stratification of obese individuals based on their metabolic health phenotype may be important in ascertaining the appropriate therapeutic or intervention strategy.
authors.affiliation: Health Research Board Centre for Diet and Health Research, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dillon
authors.forename: Janas M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: Vera J C
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kearney
authors.forename: Anthony P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Ivan J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012907:Smoking; D009626:Terminology as Topic