The Association Between Lean-to-Fat Mass Ratio and Cardiometabolic Abnormalities: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Human Physiology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a significant global health challenge, particularly in Latin America.
• Cardiometabolic abnormalities (CAs), including lipid profile, glucose, and blood pressure issues, are key contributors to CVD.
• Previous research in Latin America has focused on traditional obesity measures, neglecting body composition like lean-to-fat mass ratio (LFMR).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the lean-to-fat mass ratio (LFMR) and cardiometabolic abnormalities (CAs).
• To analyze body composition's role in cardiometabolic health within the adult Peruvian population.

Main Methods:

• An analytical cross-sectional study utilized secondary data from the PERU MIGRANT study (2007).
• Cardiometabolic abnormalities (CAs) were defined as having ≥ 2 out of six metabolic risk factors.
• A generalized linear model analyzed the association between LFMR tertiles and CAs, calculating adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs).

Main Results:

• The study included 959 adults aged 30+; 50.9% had CAs.
• A higher LFMR showed a significant inverse association with CAs in most female age groups and younger males (30-44 years).
• Associations varied by sex and age, with no significant link found between LFMR and CAs in older males (45-59 years).

Conclusions:

• The lean-to-fat mass ratio (LFMR) is negatively associated with cardiometabolic abnormalities (CAs) in the Peruvian adult population.
• LFMR is a relevant indicator for understanding and addressing cardiometabolic health disparities.