Abstract

Objective: There is debate over the most appropriate adiposity markers of obesity-associated health risk. We evaluated the relationship between fat distribution and C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), independent of total adiposity.

Research design and methods: We studied 350 people with abdominal adiposity (waist/hip ratio ≥0.9, males; ≥0.85, females) and 199 controls (waist/hip <0.9, males; <0.85, females) matched for BMI and age. Hs-CRP and major cardiovascular RF were measured.

Results: Participants with abdominal adiposity had the same BMI as controls (24.8±2.5 vs 24.7±2.2 kg/m²), but significantly higher waist circumference (96.4±6.0 vs 83.3±6.7 cm; p<0.01) and waist/hip ratio (1.07±0.08 vs 0.85 ±0.05; p<0.001). Compared to controls, participants with abdominal adiposity had an adverse cardiovascular risk factor profile, significantly higher Hs-CRP (1.96±2.60 vs 1.53±1.74 mg/dl, p<0.01) and a two-fold prevalence of elevated (>3mg/dl) CRP values

Conclusions: In non obese people, moderate abdominal adiposity is associated with markers of subclinical inflammation independent of BMI.