How Fat Am I? Or, How Am I Fat?

Two new studies address how obesity relates to cardiovascular risk factors.

The obesity epidemic is mounting, yet obesity’s role in cardiovascular disease risk is controversial. Recent studies have demonstrated that visceral fat portends a higher risk for diabetes and heart disease than does fat in other locations. Two new studies explore this issue further.

In the first study, investigators assessed the body-mass index, blood pressure, and insulin resistance — and levels of fasting plasma glucose, C-reactive protein, and HDL — of 5440 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES 1999-2004) to determine the prevalence of cardiometabolic abnormalities among people who were normal weight, overweight, or obese. Nearly one quarter of normal-weight adults had two or more metabo…

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

How Fat Am I? Or, How Am I Fat?

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Reviewing Author