We examined the relationship of body fat distribution to lipid metabolism in 50 obese women who participated in a weight reduction program.
Body fat distribution was assessed by measurement of the waist-to-hip size ratio (WHR), minimal waist size and maximal hip size measured in a standing position.
Obese women were separated into two subgroups by WHR; predominantly upper- or lower-body-segment obesity (UBSO or LBSO).
After adjusting for ideal body weight, we found significantly high correlations with WHR (r=0.82, p<0.01), serum total cholesterol, serum triglyceride, VLDL and ApoB, which were significantly higher in UBSO; while HDL-ch and ApoA-1 were significantly lower in UBSO than LBSO.
However, in UBSO, serum triglyceride and A. I. were significantly decreased; and HDL-ch was significantly increased after weight reduction.
In conclusion, we suggested that the site of fat predominance offers a better diagnostic or prognostic marker for lipid metabolism abnormality than the degree of obesity alone.
