J Obes Metab Syndr.  2020 Mar;29(1):39-46. 10.7570/jomes19078.

Beta-Cell Function, Self-rated Health, and LifestyleHabits in 64-Year-Old Swedish Women withMetabolically Healthy Obesity Phenotype

• Hjelmgren O
• Gummesson A
• Bergström G
• Schmidt C

• KMID: 2504851
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7570/jomes19078

Abstract

Background
A subset of obese individuals do not present metabolic abnormalities that commonly define themetabolic syndrome (MetS). This is referred to as a metabolically healthy obese (MHO) phenotype. The aim ofthe present study was to evaluate the prevalence of the MHO phenotype and its relationship with beta cell dysfunction by measuring C-peptide and proinsulin, anthropometric-, metabolic- and lipid appearance, as well aslifestyle behaviors and self-rated health in a cohort of 64-year-old Swedish women.
Methods
The National Cholesterol Education Program definition was used to assess MetS. We defined normalweight as body mass index (BMI) 18.5–24.9 kg/m² and obesity as BMI ≥30 kg/m² to categorize participants asmetabolically healthy normal weight, MHO, and metabolically unhealthy obese.
Results
The MHO phenotype represented 36.3% of obese participants and 16.3% of total participants. TheMHO group were at greater risk of having proinsulin levels >11 pmol/L, indicating impaired beta cell function.Further, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, fasting plasma levels of insulin, and C-peptideshowed significant trends, with the MHO phenotype group having intermediate levels amongthree groups. Health behaviors such as leisure time physical activity and alcohol intake were also intermediate inindividuals with the MHO phenotype.
Conclusion
In this study, we demonstrate that over a third of the obese women in our sample were MHO. Further, women with the MHO phenotype showed intermediate profiles considering beta cell function and insulinresistance, as well as metabolic variables, and tended to rate their general health as worse than otherwise similarindividuals of normal weight.

Keyword

Metabolically benign obesity; Health; Life style