Characterization of metabolically healthy obese Brazilians and cardiovascular risk prediction

The aim of this study was to identify metabolically healthy obese individuals (MHOs) and their characteristics, as well as to estimate cardiovascular risk using the Framingham score.

In all, 258 adult individuals, with body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2), and no report of diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease, were classified according to their metabolic state considering two criteria: rhe National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Biochemical, anthropometric, and body composition characteristics were compared between MHOs and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) individuals according to each criterion. Cardiovascular risk was estimated using the Framingham score.

MHOs exhibited smaller waist circumference and lower body fat percentage, as well as lower blood glucose, triacylglycerols, and insulin levels, in addition to higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, when HOMA criterion (P < 0.05) and associated criteria were adopted. The estimated cardiovascular risk was similar between the two groups according to the HOMA index; however, the risk was significantly lower according to the ATP III guidelines. Obese individuals at intermediate and high risk showed higher body fat percentage compared with those individuals at low risk.

MHOs had biochemical and anthropometric characteristics, such as lower body mass index, waist circumference, percent fat mass, glucose, triacylglycerols, and increased high-density lipoprotein, that made them different from those individuals classified as MUO. The latter exhibited increased risk for cardiovascular disease according to the Framingham score, when using the ATP III criterion alone or in conjunction with the HOMA index.