Contribution of the Body Fat Distribution in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Brazilian Men

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one of the causes of death in Brazil, and the obesity has increased. It has been shown that risk factors are associated with CVD including total cholesterol (totalC), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), body fat (%F) and body fat distribution. PUrPose – The aim of this study was to verify how much the %F and body fat distribution contribute in totalC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TG. METHODS: – The sample was composed of 125 men (age = 35.6± 10.7years old; %F = 20.5± 8.4). The %F and body fat distribution (%F arms, %F trunk, %F legs) were estimated by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA: DPX-IQ v.4.0-x). Blood to estimate fasting totalC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TG was taken from the antecubital vein, after 12-hour overnight fast. These variables were analised using the enzimatic spectrophotometric technique (reagent: doles; Bioplus, BIO-2000). The data were analised by stepwise regression analysis. RESULTS: – Regression of various individuals %F, %F arms, %F trunk and, %F legs to examine the contribution of %F and body fat distribution, selecting combinations by stepwise regression and explained cardiovascular disease risk factors using the %F trunk and, %F legs.TableThe %f trunk explained (p<.005): 26% of the totalC; 6.6% of the HDL-C; 19.7% of the LDL-C and, 16% of the TG. Both %F trunk and %F legs explained better (21,6%) TG than only %F trunk. %F and %F arms not explained (p>.05) risk factors of CVD. CONCLUSIONS: – The results signalise that %F trunk is independent of most traditional risk factors of CVD.