Purpose Metabolically obese but normal weight
(MONW) is associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes,
dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The aim of this study was
to evaluate the association of metabolic syndrome components
with MONW in each sex in Iranian population.
Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on
417 normal weight subjects in Qazvin, Iran between September
2010 and April 2011. MONW was defined by insulin
resistance (IR) using the homeostatic model assessment
(HOMA). Cut off point for IR was defined as the lower
limit of top quintile of HOMA-IR values in normal weight
population without any metabolic risk factors. Data were
analyzed using T test, Mann–Whitney U test, and multivariant
logistic regression analysis.
Results Of 417 subjects, 44.3 % were female. The prevalence
of MONW was 33.8 % in men and 39.8 % in women.
Triglycerides levels were significantly higher in both men
and women with MONW. Waist circumference was significantly
higher in men with MONW, while high-density
lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in
women with MONW. In logistic regression analysis, hypertriglyceridemia
in women (OR 3.398; 95 % CI 1.306–
8.846) and waist circumference (per 5 cm increment) in
men (OR 1.653; 95 % CI 1.279–2.136) had independent
association with MONW.
Conclusion Association of metabolic syndrome components
with MONW is different in men and women. Waist
circumference had an independent association with IR in
men but not in women. IR and its complications should be
considered in lean women with hypertriglyceridemia.
Keywords Gender difference · MONW · Insulin
resistance · Waist circumference · Hypertriglyceridemi