Long-term weight gain and metabolic syndrome, adiponectin and C-reactive protein in women aged 50-60 years

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the weight change during 30-40 year follow-up on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) components, C-reactive protein (CRP) and adiponectin.

The study included 153 women. Blood pressure, anthropometric and laboratory measures were done at the age of 50-60 years. All women declared normal body weight at age 20. The MS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF 2005). Women were divided into four groups according to weight gain: < 10 kg, 10-19 kg, 20-29 kg, > 30 kg.

The highest values of waist circumference, BMI, WHR, CRP, glucose, HOMA index, insulin, triglycerides, blood pressure and the lowest concentrations of adiponectin and HDL-cholesterol were observed in the group with the highest weight gain (above 30 kg). Odds ratio for MS was tenfold higher in group with weight gain 10-19 kg and 20-29 kg and twenty fold higher in group with weight gain above 30 kg. In multiple regression analysis CRP was most significantly correlated with weight gain.

Among biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome CRP seems to be the most significantly related to weight gain. The risk of metabolic syndrome is significantly increased even when the weight gain is 10 kg in middle-aged women characterized by a normal BMI at the age of 20.