[Body fat distribution: independent factor affecting the blood lipid profile]

The association of life style factors with profiles of blood lipids is described in a cohort of 75 middle aged (41.2 +/- 7.8 years) physically inactive, nonsmoking employees. The importance of body fat distribution in relation to relative body weight and the lipid profiles was also studied. The strongest possible predictor for an atherogenic lipid fraction was the quotient of abdominal and hip circumferences indicating an abdominal fat accumulation. In the group with the lowest quotient (< 0.84) the triglyceride and cholesterol values were lower by 43% and 13% respectively than in that with the highest quotient (< 0.88). The body mass index (BMI) gave the best inverse correlation with HDL-c and Apo A-I: Men with a BMI < 23.7 kg/m2 had in the average a HDL-c concentration 0.2 mmol/l higher than slightly overweighted men (BMI > 25 kg/m2). Physical inactivity and a reduced physical endurance were both associated with significantly higher total cholesterol and Apo B values. In a multivariate analysis the quotient of abdominal and hip circumferences, physical activity and endurance together with adherence to recommended nutritional behaviour explained approximately one third of the variations in LDL and Apo-B concentrations. This study thus confirms in a cohort of non smoking middle aged employees the predictive character of unfavorable life style for an atherogenic lipid profile. The assessment of body fat distribution added further information on the lipid profile that could not be detected by body size and weight determination alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)