Indices of obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance in apparently healthy Caribbean subjects

Abstract

Reports from developing countries indicate that a rise in the socioeconomic level is a risk factor for metabolic disorders. We aimed to assess the indices of obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance among fairly literate healthy adults in a multidisciplinary institution in Trinidad. The study included 156 volunteers (46 males and 110 females, 17-40 years old). The subjects provided information on age, ethnicity, educational attainment, and occupation in self-administered, closed-ended questionnaires. Waist and hip circumferences (cm), weight (kg), and height (m) were measured. Fasting blood samples were taken for glucose, insulin, and lipid determinations in 78 subjects who volunteered for laboratory measurements. Insulin resistance was determined with homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Of the 156 subjects studied, 83% had received tertiary education, and had no previous record of body mass index (BMI); 8% were obese, 17% were overweight, and 27% were underweight. Laboratory measurements in 78 subjects revealed 28% hypercholesterolemia and 20% hyperinsulinemia. There were no significant gender-related differences in these prevalence rates (P>0.05). The identification of obesity, underweight, hyperinsulinemia, and hypercholesterolemia in this healthy population suggests that screening for the indices of metabolic disorders in a healthy population would be potentially useful for the early identification and treatment of metabolic-related disorders.

Aumento do índice de massa corporal em relação a variáveis clínicas e laboratoriais quanto ao sexo em indivíduos sem evidências de cardiopatia

“…In this study sample, no statistical significant difference was found in body mass index between women and men, which is in agreement with previous studies [15][16][17] . In other report, body mass index was demonstrated to be influenced by gender 18 .…”

Dietary intake among adults in Trinidad and Tobago and development of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire to highlight nutritional needs for lifestyle interventions

“…The estimated economic burden of diabetes and hypertension in 2001 was US$754 million in Trinidad and Tobago (Barcelo et al 2003, Caribbean Commission on Health and Development [CCHD] 2006). The burden of chronic disease continues to escalate with the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome components such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance (Sargeant et al 2001, Ezenwaka and Kalloo 2003, Ezenwaka et al 2007). In the Caribbean, obesity has increased at an alarming rate of almost 400% in 20 years and is accompanied by increasing rates of mortality from diabetes and hypertension (Henry 2006, CCHD 2006.…”

Improved Insulin Sensitivity and Adiponectin Level after Exercise Training in Obese Korean Youth

“…Countries throughout the world have experienced a marked increase in the prevalence of overweight and obese children and adolescents (4, 5). The increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity implies a substantial increase among children and adolescents (13) in lifestyle‐associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes (6, 7), dyslipidemia (8, 9), hypertension (10, 11), coronary heart disease (12), and stroke, which are usually found in adults (14, 15).…”