Abstract
Objective: In this study, we investigated an association between BMI and subcutaneous and visceral fat obesity, as determined by abdominal CT, and the Japanese metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria and liver function.
Methods: We analyzed data for 174 men and 63 women with mean ages of 46.6±11.3 and 49.2±12.4 years, respectively. The subjects were divided according to visceral fat area(VF) and BMI into a normal group (VF<100 cm2, BMI<25), subcutaneous fat obesity group (VF<100 cm2, BMI≥25), visceral fat accumulation non-obesity group (VF≥100 cm2, BMI<25), and a visceral fat obesity group (VF≥100 cm2, BMI≥25). The 4 groups were compared regarding their age, height, weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and laboratory data for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose, HbA1c, AST, ALT, and γ-GTP. There were more women in the subcutaneous than in the visceral fat obesity group.
Results: An increase in visceral fat was related to high blood pressure and liver dysfunction in males. An increase in subcutaneous fat was related to a decrease in HDL cholesterol in both males and females and an increase in ALT in females. Increases in both visceral and subcutaneous fat were related to a decrease in HDL cholesterol and increases in HbA1c and γ-GTP.
Conclusions: Our findings suggested that in patients suspected of having metabolic syndrome, it is necessary to measure visceral and subcutaneous fat areas, analyze the results according to gender, and use the data obtained to devise preventive measures.
