[Metabolic profile of Tunisian obese adult]

Obesity is associated with multiple comorbidities such us metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Evaluate metabolic profile and to determinate the frequency of metabolic syndrome in Tunisian obese adult.

It's a prospective study realized in the unit of obesity research in the national institute of nutrition between April 2003 and March 2005.This study concerned two groups of subjects aged between 20 and 60 years old : Group 1 (n = 100) obese (BMI (3) 30 kg/m2) and group 2 (n= 60) controls with normal weight (BMI between 18,5 and 24,9 kg/m2).

Mean number of metabolic complications is significantly higher (P < 10-3) in obese (3,28 +/- 2) than in controls (1,16 +/- 1,2). Impaired fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes mellitus are respectively more frequent in obese (37 % and 16 %) than in non obese (5 % et 1,7 %). Hyperinsulinemia is significantly (P<10-3) more frequent in obese. hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia and hyperapolipoproteinaemia B are significantly (P = 0,01, P < 10-3 et P < 10-3) more frequent in obese than in no overweight subjects. The prevalence of hyperuricemia increased significantly (P = 0,01) in overweight subjects than in normal weight subjects. Metabolic syndrome is significantly more frequent (P < 10-3) in obese (48 %) than in control (1,7 %).

Obesity, especially visceral obesity , is associated with a cluster of metabolic complications increasing the risk of coronary heart disease. We stress on the importance of primary prevention and early management of obesity.