Abdominal obesity is linked to multiple cardiometabolic risk factors

Abdominal obesity is associated with multiple cardiometabolic risk factors, including dyslipidaemia, elevated blood glucose, type 2 diabetes and inflammation – all factors leading to the development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes (Després JP et al, 1990; Pouliot MC, 1992; Kissebah AH et al, 1989; Carey VJ, 1997; Turkoglu C et al, 2003).

Analysis of data from the NHANES 1999–2000 cohort from the USA shows that high waist circumference (NCEP/ATP III definition) is commonly associated with other cardiometabolic risk factors. Overall, 86% of abdominally obese patients had at least one other cardiometabolic risk factor (NHANES data on file).