Leg fat might be more protective than arm fat in relation to lipid profile.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the independent relationships of trunk fat, leg fat and arm fat to cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors, after controlling for relevant confounders such as fat mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness and objectively measured physical activity. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving 683 university students, aged 18-30 years. Total and regional body fat distribution was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The associations of trunk, leg and arm fat with CVD risk factors (triglycerides-TG-, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol-HDL-c-, TG/HDL-c ratio, HOMA(IR), mean arterial pressure, C-reactive protein) were examined using regression linear models, controlling for age, sex, fat mass index [total body fat(kg)/height(m(2))], maximal oxygen consumption and physical activity by accelerometer. RESULTS: After controlling for fat mass index, and other confounders, higher levels of trunk fat were found to be associated with a poorer lipid profile, while higher levels of leg fat were found to be associated with a better lipid profile. We did not find any association between arm fat and lipid profile after controlling for total fatness and other confounders. Neither trunk, leg or arm fat was found to be related to insulin resistance, blood pressure or inflammation markers. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the region where fat is accumulated might have a differential effect on lipid profile: trunk fat has an adverse effect, leg fat has a protective effect, and arm fat has no effect. The differences observed between upper- and lower-body peripheral fat depots should be further explored.

[Arterial pre-hypertension in young adults]. / Prehipertensión arterial en adultos jóvenes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prehypertension is a new category of blood pressure and is considered a cardiovascular risk factor. This study has aimed to estimate the prevalence of prehypertension and the association between prehypertension and other vascular risk factors in young adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: First year university students from all areas of study in the University of Cuenca were invited to participate. Prehypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure between 120-139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure between 80-89 mmHg. Anthropometric, lipid and metabolic variables were measures. The presence of metabolic syndrome was evaluated and quantified based on the sum of the standardized scores of the waist circumference, the triglyceride/c-HDL ratio, mean blood pressure and R-HOMA (Index of insulin resistance to glucose lowering effect). RESULTS: A total of 545 university students were included in the analysis (mean age 20.36±3.9 years, 74.7% women). Prehypertension prevalence was 24% (95% CI: 21-27%), (56.5% in men and 13% in women). The condition of prehypertension was directly associated to the body mass index (OR: 1.194; 95% CI: 1.124-1.311), insulin resistance (R-HOMA, OR: 2.638; 95% CI: 1.263-4.926) and to the index or quantification of the severity of the metabolic syndrome (OR: 4-868; 95% CI: 3-846-8-328). On the other hand, HDL-c showed an inverse relationship with prehypertension (OR: 0.981; 95% CI: 0.957-0.993). CONCLUSIONS: One out of every four young adults presents prehypertension. This condition is associated to well-established vascular risk factors.

Prehipertensión arterial en adultos jóvenes / Arterial pre-hypertension in young adults

Antecedentes y objetivos. La prehipertensión es una nueva categoría de presión arterial, y se considera un factor de riesgo vascular. Hemos estimado la prevalencia de prehipertensión y la asociación entre esta condición y otros factores de riesgo vascular en adultos jóvenes. Sujetos y métodos. Invitamos a participar a los universitarios del primer curso de todas las titulaciones que se imparten en el Campus Universitario de Cuenca. Se consideró prehipertensión a una presión arterial sistólica de 120-139mmHg y/o presión arterial diastólica de 80-89mmHg. Se midieron las variables antropométricas, lipídicas y metabólicas. Se valoró la presencia del síndrome metabólico, y se cuantificó en función de la suma de las puntuaciones estandarizadas del perímetro de cintura, la razón triglicéridos/c-HDL, presión arterial media y R-HOMA (índice de resistencia a la acción hipoglucemiante de la insulina). Resultados. Se incluyeron en el análisis 545 universitarios (edad media [±DE] 20,4±3,9 años; 74,7% mujeres). La prevalencia global de prehipertensión fue del 24% (IC del 95%: 21-27%), (varones: 56,5%; mujeres: 13,0%). La condición de prehipertensión se asoció de forma directa al índice de masa corporal (OR: 1,194; IC del 95%: 1,124-1,311), resistencia al efecto hipoglucemiante de la insulina (R-HOMA, OR: 2,638; IC del 95%: 1,263-4,926) y al índice o cuantificación de la severidad del síndrome metabólico (OR: 4,868; IC del 95%: 3,846-8,328). Por el contrario, la prehipertensión se asoció de forma inversa con la concentración de c-HDL (OR: 0,981; IC del 95%: 0,957-0,993). Conclusiones. Uno de cada 4 adultos jóvenes presenta prehipertensión. Esta condición se asocia a los factores de riesgo vasculares bien establecidos(AU)

Background and objectives. Prehypertension is a new category of blood pressure and is considered a cardiovascular risk factor. This study has aimed to estimate the prevalence of prehypertension and the association between prehypertension and other vascular risk factors in young adults. Material and methods. First year university students from all areas of study in the University of Cuenca were invited to participate. Prehypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure between 120-139mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure between 80-89mmHg. Anthropometric, lipid and metabolic variables were measures. The presence of metabolic syndrome was evaluated and quantified based on the sum of the standardized scores of the waist circumference, the triglyceride/c-HDL ratio, mean blood pressure and R-HOMA (Index of insulin resistance to glucose lowering effect). Results. A total of 545 university students were included in the analysis (mean age 20.36±3.9 years, 74.7% women). Prehypertension prevalence was 24% (95% CI: 21-27%), (56.5% in men and 13% in women). The condition of prehypertension was directly associated to the body mass index (OR:1.194; 95% CI:1.124-1.311), insulin resistance (R-HOMA, OR:2.638; 95% CI:1.263-4.926) and to the index or quantification of the severity of the metabolic syndrome (OR:4-868; 95% CI:3-846-8-328). On the other hand, HDL-c showed an inverse relationship with prehypertension (OR:0.981; 95% CI:0.957-0.993). Conclusions. One out of every four young adults presents prehypertension. This condition is associated to well-established vascular risk factors(AU)