Blood lipids profile in obese or overweight patients

Elevated levels of total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are important risk factors for coronary heart disease. Another established predictor of cardiovascular disease is obesity. Obesity and overweight are widespread phenomena and they have reached epidemic proportions in the developed countries, including Poland. Only 30% of people in the Lublin region have normal weight (BMI<25). The aim of this study was to asses the relationship between BMI (body mass index) and blood lipids in the population of 83 people from Aleksandrow commune (64 women and 19 men aged 28-81) who spontaneously applied for medical examination performed as student research. Mean total cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations were higher in obese persons in comparison to normal weight subjects and HDL cholesterol concentration was lower in obese subjects as compared to normal and overweight individuals. Differences in mean concentrations of LDL cholesterol were not significant. A linear correlation between the degree of obesity and plasma level of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides was shown. In conclusion, obesity and overweight are accompanied by unfavourable blood lipids patterns and in a considerable proportion of overweight or obese patients other risk factors for coronary heart disease, such as hypertension, smoking, diabetes or family history of cardiovascular diseases coexist.