What are the Characteristics of Obese Adults without Metabolic Complications?

Oh, Seung Won; Im, Ju Won; Lee, Jung Woon; Kim, Kyoung Woo; Choi, Jae Kyung; Park, Min Seon; Yoo, Tai Woo

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is known that various subtypes of obesity exist and there has been a growing interest in the various subtypes of obesity, especially in the unique "metabolically healthy but obese" subtype. The purpose of this study was to analyze the features of obese adults without metabolic complications and to provide data which can be used in strategy formation for the effective treatment of obesity.
METHODS
A total of 4,561 obese adults with a BMI greater than or equal to 25 kg/m2, were recruited from a health promotion center of a university hospital. Sociodemographic and life style information were gathered by self-questionnaire. We classified them into 2 groups-one having no features (metabolically healthy obese; MHO) and the other having 1~5 features (metabolically unhealthy obese; MUHO)-using the ATP III definition for metabolic syndrome, and used the multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the association between various factors and MHO.
RESULTS
Age and BMI were related with MHO independently. Adjusted odds ratio for the MHO men was 2.17 compared with women (P<0.001). Adjusted odds ratio for the MHO regular exercise group was 1.66 compared with the no exercise group (P<0.007). Additionally, those who exercised more had a greater probability of being in the MHO group. Adjusted odds ratio for the MHO in the large income group was 1.88 (P=0.007) compared with those in the small income group. As was seen with exercise, there was a direct relationship between higher income and the probability of being in the MHO group.
CONCLUSION
Men compared with women, large income compared with small income, and regular exercise compared with no exercise were features of obese adults which increased their probability of being categorized as "metabolically healthy but obese".