Fatness and Fluctuating Body Weight: Effect on Central Vasculature

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Obesity Research
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Weight cycling (WC), characterized by repeated cycles of weight loss and regain, is prevalent and linked to adverse cardiovascular (CV) health outcomes.
• Previous reviews found insufficient evidence to definitively link WC to blood pressure (BP) changes.
• Central BP is a more significant predictor of CV risk than peripheral BP, yet the specific impact of WC on central BP remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between weight cycling and cardiovascular health markers, particularly central blood pressure and arterial stiffness.
• To determine if visceral fat mediates the association between weight cycling and adverse cardiovascular parameters.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 75 middle-aged, obese, and relatively unfit women.
• Self-reported weight cycling history was assessed using the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory questionnaire.
• Measurements included visceral fat, peripheral and central blood pressure, arterial stiffness (augmentation index, pulse wave velocity), and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak).
• Regression analyses were used to identify predictors of cardiovascular outcomes and mediation by visceral fat.

Main Results:

• Visceral fat was the strongest predictor of brachial systolic BP, brachial diastolic BP, central systolic BP, and augmentation index.
• VO2peak was the strongest predictor of central diastolic BP and augmentation pressure.
• A significant positive association was found between the weight cycling index and visceral fat.
• Visceral fat significantly mediated the relationship between weight cycling and central systolic BP, augmentation pressure, augmentation index, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity.

Conclusions:

• Weight cycling may contribute to increased visceral fat accumulation.
• Elevated visceral fat, influenced by weight cycling, is associated with higher central systolic blood pressure and increased arterial stiffness.
• These findings highlight a potential mechanism linking weight cycling behavior to increased cardiovascular risk through visceral adiposity.