[Cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obesity. Changes after a weight loss treatment]

For the treatment of obesity, an adecuate control of associated cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) is fundamental. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and CRF, and the effect of a weight loss program on overweight subjects.

A single-centered cross-sectional prospective study was carried out during 1997-2001 on 1,018 overweight subjects (788 women and 230 men) who were seeking aid to lose weight at an obesity clinic. A program involving a hypocaloric, Mediterranean diet was prescribed plus recommendations for spare-time exercise. Variables measured included weight, height, blood pressure, serum lipids and blood glucose concentrations, measured both at baseline and at the end of the weight loss program.

After adjusting for age, variables showing a significant increase upon higher BMI were: blood pressure, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) (inverse relationship, only in women), triglycerides and blood glucose. Total cholesterol (CLT), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and CLT/HDL-C showed no relationship with BMI. Weight loss had beneficial effects on blood pressure and triglycerides, regardless of the initial values, and on CLT, LDL-C and CLT/HDL-C when the initial levels were increased. No significant changes were found with regard to HDL-C.

Overweight and obese subjects carry a burden of common coronary risk factors which ncrease upon greater obesity. Weight loss has important beneficial effects with regard to coronary risk factors associated with overweight and obesity, particularly if these factors are previously altered, even when weight loss is < 5% of initial weight.