Metabolically healthy obesity: different prevalences using different criteria
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Portuguese Institute of Oncology Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|July 15, 2010
Summary
Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) prevalence varies widely based on definition. Physical activity is linked to higher MHO likelihood, which is associated with less type 2 diabetes family history.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Health
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) is a phenotype where individuals with obesity exhibit normal metabolic parameters.
- The definition and prevalence of MHO vary significantly across studies, leading to inconsistencies in understanding its clinical implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) using diverse definitions and criteria.
- To investigate factors associated with MHO, including age, gender, lifestyle, and family history of type 2 diabetes.
Main Methods:
- A population-based study involving 2803 women and 2557 men.
- Metabolic abnormalities were assessed using six different criteria sets, incorporating measures of waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid profiles, glucose levels, and inflammatory markers.
- Prevalence of MHO was determined based on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, or body fat percentage.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of MHO among obese participants varied substantially, ranging from 3.3% to 43.3% in men and 11.4% to 55.5% in women, depending on the definition used.
- MHO was associated with a lower odds of having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
- Physical activity was positively correlated with MHO, while increased waist circumference was negatively associated with BMI-defined MHO.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of MHO is highly dependent on the definition employed, highlighting the need for a standardized approach.
- Physical activity is a key factor promoting MHO, and this phenotype is linked to a reduced prevalence of type 2 diabetes family history.
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