The influence of regional adipose tissue distribution (measured by CT scanning) on lipid profiles was evaluated in 58 obese men. A further 29 lean men served as controls. Obese subjects were more likely to be hypertriglyceridaemic, and to have low HDL-cholesterol than lean subjects. Within the obese group, subjects with high intra-abdominal adiposity tended to have higher triglycerides and lower HDL-cholesterol than subjects with low intra-abdominal adiposity. 

The degree of intra-abdominal adiposity (visceral fat area) was the most powerful predictor of adverse lipid profiles on univariate analysis.