[Health risks of obesity. Significance of the regional distribution of adipose tissue]

Abstract

This review concentrates on recent prospective studies concerning evaluation of the health risk of obesity with special reference to the impact of the distribution of the adipose tissue. Analysis of the data indicates that adipose tissue localized to the abdominal region (especially intraabdominal fat) is associated with an enhanced risk profile including elevated levels of triglycerides and insulin, low levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and elevated blood pressure. Abdominal obesity, determined by the waist/hip ratio, was associated with cardiovascular disease, premature death and non-insulin demanding diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, the total fat mass (measured as body mass index) was positively associated only with non-insulin demanding diabetes mellitus. The androgen/estrogen activity seems to be an important factor for determining the topographical localization of the adipose tissue. The great amount of free fatty acids which may be released from the abdominal fat tissue seemed to be of great pathogenetic importance for the metabolic consequences of abdominal obesity. In conclusion, obesity and the abdominal localization of adipose tissue seem to be two separate entities with different pathogenesis and clinical consequences. The abdominal obesity is the type which is predominantly associated with enhanced health risks. These associations may result in an altered strategy of treatment of the obese population.