Visceral obesity may have different effects on metabolic syndrome parameters in women and men

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to assess whether female and male individuals have different parameters of metabolic syndrome when they are classified as being viscerally obese or non-obese. Material and methods: We enrolled 288 subjects (169 women, 119 men) who were admitted to Clinic of Internal Medicine, Ankara Education and Research Hospital. They underwent physical examinations and anthropometric evaluation. They also underwent ultrasonography and blood samples were collected for further investigation. After cut-offvalues for visceral fat were determined, female and male subjects were classified as they were viscerally obese or not obese and all their parameters were compared. Results: Female viscerally obese subjects had statistically higher values of blood glucose, blood pressure, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride and homeostasis model assessment - insulin resistance index than female who were not obese. Men with visceral obesity had higher values of blood pressure, insulin, triglyceride and homeostasis model assessment - insulin resistance index than men who were not obese. Conclusions: Visceral obesity was linked to high blood pressure, triglyceride, insulin resistance in all subjects, but high blood glucose, total cholesterol levels were elevated only in females. We think that visceral fat thickness measured by ultrasonography can estimate not only visceral obesity but also risks of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome both in females and males.