Women's Health - December 2004

Location of Body Fat Affects Heart Risk in Women

New research shows that the presence of fat within the abdominal wall can indicate the extent of a condition called metabolic syndrome in obese, postmenopausal women, according to a report in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

The new findings could help physicians identify health risks in aging women.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), metabolic syndrome has become increasingly common in the US. It is estimated that about 47 million adults have this condition.

The AHA states that the syndrome is linked with a generalized metabolic disorder called insulin resistance, in which the body cannot use insulin efficiently. This is why metabolic syndrome is also called insulin resistance syndrome.

Some people are genetically predisposed to insulin resistance. Acquired factors, such as excess body fat and physical inactivity, can elicit insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome in these people.

The biologic mechanisms at the molecular level between insulin resistance and metabolic risk factors are not fully understood, reports the AHA.

Risk Factors To Consider

Research has shown that obesity is linked to metabolic syndrome, which has several known risk factors including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, increased levels of fasting glucose (a sugar in blood and a source of energy), and an increase in waist circumference.

Yet, not all obese individuals present all of these symptoms. Following menopause, many women experience a natural increase in obesity, particularly around their intra-abdominal area, which refers to fat that is stored in and around the internal organs.

As a result, it can be difficult for physicians to detect metabolic syndrome in these patients.

Dr. Barbara Nicklas, a researcher at Wake Forest University and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, sought to determine whether specific criteria can be used to determine the existence and severity of metabolic syndrome.

To do this, her team evaluated the presence of metabolic syndrome by testing aerobic capacity, body composition, body fat distribution, and inflammation in 58 obese, postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 70 years.

Metabolic syndrome, which was indicated by three or more characteristics defined in the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program, was found in 27 women (47 percent).

By examining the characteristics in all of the women, Dr. Nicklas discovered that lean mass, intra-abdominal fat, and a circulating biomarker of inflammation were significantly higher in women with metabolic syndrome.

Findings Bring Needed Attention

Additionally, Dr. Nicklas and her team found that these three characteristics were independently related to the severity of metabolic syndrome in the women.

"There are many existing questions about the health risks of obesity in postmenopausal women," says Dr Nicklas. "Our findings confirm that specific characteristics, particularly intra-abdominal fat, are important in determining the presence of metabolic syndrome in these women.

"We have also shown, for the first time, that specific characteristics, such as intra-abdominal fat, can indicate the severity of metabolic syndrome," she explains. "This information should help physicians evaluate the health risks for postmenopausal women and design a treatment plan to lessen the women's risk. "

Always consult your physician for more information.