[Waist/hip ratio and vascular risk factors in obese and not obese individuals]

Three groups of men and three groups of women were studied, each one of the three corresponding to obese individuals, overweight and not overweight according to the ratio of corporal mass > or = 30, 25-29.9 and < 25 respectively. In each group two subgroups were made following the waist/hip ratio (< 1 and > or = 1 for men and < 0.8 and > or = 0.8 for women). In each subgroup arterial pressure, basal glucemia, cholesterol and plasmic triglycerides, lipoproteins and insulinemia after a higher than normal oral intake of glucose were determined, comparing results according to waist/hip ratio. Practically all the parameters studied showed greater levels of risk in subjects of both sexes with high waist/hip ratio, both in obese individuals and not obese individuals. This shows the possibility that high waist/hip ratio in associated with risk factors in individuals who are not obese, and this association is considered as a "metabolic lipopathy" present in the intraabdominal visceral adipocyte. The measurement of waist/hip ratio must be recommended in all patients and in medical examinations.