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Central adiposity and gallbladder disease in Mexican Americans
S M Haffner1, A K Diehl, M P Stern
1U. of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284.
American Journal of Epidemiology
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Central adiposity, a measure of body fat distribution, is linked to gallbladder disease, especially in Mexican-American women. Both overall obesity and central fat distribution independently increase gallbladder disease risk in women.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Human Physiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Obesity is a known risk factor for gallstones.
- Limited research exists on body fat distribution's impact on gallbladder disease prevalence.
- Mexican Americans exhibit high rates of gallbladder disease and central adiposity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between central adiposity and gallbladder disease in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites.
- To determine if central adiposity is an independent risk factor for gallbladder disease, controlling for overall adiposity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 1,202 Mexican Americans and 908 non-Hispanic whites in the San Antonio Heart Study (1979-1982).
- Measured central adiposity using the subscapular-to-triceps skinfold ratio.
- Assessed overall adiposity via body mass index (BMI).
Main Results:
- Central adiposity remained associated with increased gallbladder disease prevalence in Mexican-American women after adjusting for BMI.
- Both BMI and the subscapular-to-triceps skinfold ratio were independently associated with gallbladder disease in women.
- In men, only BMI, not central adiposity, showed an association with gallbladder disease.
Conclusions:
- Central adiposity is an independent risk factor for gallbladder disease, particularly in Mexican-American women.
- Body fat distribution plays a significant role in gallbladder disease development, alongside overall obesity.
- Central adiposity is linked to cardiovascular risk factors in women with gallbladder disease.