Abstract:
Central obesity is a significant risk factor for metabolic syndrome in adults. Central fat distribution greatly
alters the lipid profile and induces atherogenic dyslipidaemia even in normoglycaemic, non-hypertensive
subjects. Hence, the aim of the present study was to identify the serum lipid parameters which are altered
with central obesity in non-diabetic, non-hypertensive subjects in Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional study was
conducted at the Family Practice Centre of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, after obtaining ethical
clearance and informed written consent from 227 non-diabetics, non-hypertensive subjects who were not on
Statins. Overnight fasting venous blood was collected and assayed for serum lipid profile such as
triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and high density cholesterol (HDL). Low density cholesterol (LDL)
and TG/HDL ratio were calculated. Waist circumference (WC) was measured based on WHO and NHANES
standards. All data were analysed using SPSS (ver.17) software. Mean age of the subjects was 40.7 ± 13.7
years and 59.9% were females. Obese males and females were 40.7% and 49.3% respectively. In the study
sample, mean TG and TG/HDL ratio were significantly (p<0.05) higher in obese males. However, all mean
serum lipid parameters such as TG, TC, LDL and TG/HDL ratio were higher in both obese males and
females and HDL was lower in them. Hence, even in non-diabetic, non-hypertensive subjects, central obesity
has a relationship with altered lipid profile which could lead to obesity related metabolic abnormalities.
