Cardiometabolic and behavioural risk factors in young overweight women identified with simple anthropometric measures

International audienceObjectives: This study aimed to (1) investigate cardiometabolic risk markers in young women (18–30 years) with overweight/obesity, and (2) establish whether the measures of waist circumference and body mass index possess similar associations of cardiometabolic risk. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Cardiometabolic risk factors including, anthropometric, metabolic syndrome markers, biochemical , and other health/fitness indicators were assessed in women when classified as overweight/obese by waist circumference [waist circumference 91.9 ± 10.1 cm, age 22.3 ± 3.5 years, n = 38] versus control [n = 30, waist circumference 71.4 ± 3.5 cm, age 20.1 ± 0.9 years], and when classified by body mass index [n = 35, body mass index 32.2 ± 5.2 kg m 2 , age 22.5 ± 3.6 years] versus control [body mass index 21.7 ± 1.9 kg m 2 , age 20.1 ± 0.9 years, n = 33]. Results: Compared with controls, women with overweight/obesity (classified by waist circumference or body mass index) displayed elevated body mass, systolic blood pressure and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and reduced estimated VO 2max and weekly physical activity, with no differences in self-reported energy intake. The unadjusted odds ratio of being classified with overweight/obesity and an elevated homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and/or less than recommended physical activity ranged between 5.1 and 10.0. Receiver operator characteristic curves indicated waist circumference , body mass index and waist-to-height ratio cutoff points of ≥84.2 cm, ≥30.6 kg m −2 and ≥0.5, respectively, for homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and ≥80.6 cm, ≥25.2 kg m −2 and ≥0.46, respectively, for less than recommended physical activity. Conclusions: Waist circumference and body mass index have similar associations with cardiometabolic risk, with greater homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and lower physical activity, rather than differences in traditional metabolic syndrome markers, observed in young women with over-weight/obesity

Effects of a Multi-Disciplinary Lifestyle Intervention on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Young Women with Abdominal Obesity: A Randomised Controlled Trial

<div><p>Background</p><p>Young women are under-represented in cardiovascular disease research, with obesity and cardiometabolic risk factor interventions generally targeting older adults. Furthermore, appropriate study designs for young women remain uncertain. This study aimed to assess the impact of a 12 week multi-disciplinary lifestyle intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors in premenopausal women with abdominal obesity.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Women aged 18–30 y with abdominal obesity [waist circumference (WC) ≥ 80 cm] were randomised to a 12 week lifestyle intervention (n = 26) of physical activity, nutrition education and cognitive behavioural therapy, or a wait-list control group (n = 17). Both groups completed anthropometric, biochemical, nutrition and fitness testing, at pre (0 weeks) and post (12 weeks), with intervention participants completed follow-up testing at 24 weeks.</p><p>Results</p><p>Results from a linear mixed model showed no between-group differences, other than increased physical activity in the intervention group, at post. In the intervention group alone, positive within-group changes were observed in WC, waist-hip-ratio (WHR), waist-height-ratio (WHtR), resting heart rate, blood pressure, predicted VO_2max, and total energy intake. Most changes were maintained at 24 weeks post-intervention. Similar within-group improvements were observed in control participants in WC, WHR, WHtR, and systolic blood pressure but no changes were detected in physical activity and nutrition.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Cardiometabolic risk factors were decreased as a result of a lifestyle intervention in young women with abdominal obesity. It is difficult to describe observations in the control group without greater understanding of the behaviour of wait-list participants.</p><p>Trial Registration</p><p>Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry <a href="http://www.anzctr.org.au/TrialSearch.aspx?searchTxt=ACTRN12612001017819&ddlSearch=Registered" target="_blank">ACTRN12612001017819</a></p></div

CONSORT participant flow-chart of intervention and control participants.

<p>CONSORT participant flow-chart of intervention and control participants.</p