Association of Central Obesity with The Incidence of Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk Factors

Abstract Background: Obesity has been identified as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Objective: To evaluate the association of central obesity with the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and risk factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, carried out with patients treated at a metabolic syndrome outpatient clinic, with body mass index ≥ 24.9 kg/m2. Nutritional status, laboratory tests (lipid and glycemic profile) and blood pressure status were analyzed. Participants were stratified into groups regarding the presence or absence of risk factors: diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Results: Women (n = 39), mean age of 44.18 ± 14.42 years, of which 70% were obese and 38% were hypertensive, corresponded to most of the studied sample. Abdominal circumference was 110.19 cm ± 15.88 cm; levels of triglycerides were 153.72 mg/dL ± 7.07 mg/dL; and fasting glycemia was 188.6 mg/dL ± 116 mg/dL. A significant association was found between the waist/height ratio and the findings of hypertension (p = 0.007); between visceral fat volume and diabetes (p = 0.01); between the conicity index and the findings of hypertension (p = 0.009) and diabetes (p = 0.006). No significant association was found between body mass index and waist circumference with findings of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Conclusion: Central obesity was associated with a higher incidence of development of risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases.