Comparison of Obesity and Atherosclerosis Indices between Obese and Non-obese Middle-aged Men

Kang, Dongin; Hong, Changbae; Kim, Kijin

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Obesity and endothelial dysfunction are highly interrelated. Specifically visceral fat leads to insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction, mainly through fat-derived metabolic products, hormones, and adipocytokines. Analysis of this relationship is a meaningful trial for health promotion in middle-aged men. The purpose of the study was to compare obesity and atherosclerosis indices between non-obese and obese middle-aged men.
METHODS
Subjects were classified as either obese (> or = 25 BMI, n = 18) or non-obese (BMI < 25, n = 13) in middle-aged men. We measured body composition, predictors of atherosclerosis, and physical fitness.
RESULTS
The obese subjects had significantly (P < 0.05) higher values of body fat, skinfold thickness, body circumferences and abdominal fat area than the non-obese. The obese subjects tended to have higher blood levels of fibrinogen, CRP, TG, and FFA than the non-obese subjects, while the non-obese subjects had significantly higher (P < 0.05) values in grip muscular strength per 1 kg in BW and sit and reach performance than the obese group. We did not find an association of inflammatory markers with obesity in middle-aged men, however our results suggest a trend of increased inflammatory markers with obesity. Abdominal fat area significantly correlated to body fat percent and BMI. Interestingly, VSR significantly correlated to blood levels of CRP and FFA, and abdominal fat area significantly correlated to blood level of insulin.
CONCLUSION
Considering the current findings that whole body obesity was positively associated with abdominal obesity, leading to elevated blood levels of several adipocytokines in middle-aged men, special attention should be given to lifestyle interventions for the treatment of increased abdominal obesity and especially visceral fat area at this age.