Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Males with Normal Body Weight and High Waist-to-Hip Ratio

BACKGROUND: Overweight and the distribution of body fat are both associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The relation of abdominal body fat distribution to CVD may depend on the degree of obesity. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the cardiovascular disease risk factor levels in males with high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in the absence of overweight. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of 231 male subjects (21-69 years old). METHODS: Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI, fat%, skinfolds, waist circumference, WHR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BPsyst, BPdiast), serum lipids and lipoproteins (CHOL, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG), glucose (GL), and physical working capacity. A questionnaire was drawn up to evaluate physical activity level and lifestyle patterns. RESULTS: Subjects with WHR > or = 0.9, BMI < 27.0 and with WHR > or = 0.9, BMI > or = 27.0 showed statistically significant differences in all measured anthropometric and blood pressure values in comparison with the control group (WHR < 0.9, BMI < 27.0). Compared with the controls, subjects with WHR > or = 0.9, BMI > or = 27.0 had significantly higher risk (OR) for hypertension and elevated LDL-C. Physical activity was a significant determinant of the high WHR. CONCLUSIONS: WHR has independent associations with some CVD risk factors, but the effect increases with weight.