Background: The worldwide prevalence of obesity has more than doubled since 1980. Obesity is rapidly becoming a major medical and public health problem. Body mass index (BMI) is an important indicator of overweight and obesity in childhood, adolescence, and young adults. Early detection of prospective obesity and its intervention in young age group would be of particular significance to prevent obesity-associated comorbidities and mortalities later in life.
Aims and Objectives: This study was planned to categorize apparently healthy young adults into two groups as obese and non-obese on the basis of BMI to compare levels of glucose and lipid profile among them. BMI >25 is categorized as obese.
Materials and Methods: A total of 60 male medical students between 17 and 22 years of age from Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pune, participated in the study voluntarily. Purpose-designed questionnaires were used to ascertain lifestyle behavior and birth weight. They were categorized into obese and non-obese on the basis of BMI. Waist–hip ratio (WHR) was also measured for both the groups. Blood chemistry of these 60 students was studied for glucose and lipid levels. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also measured.
Results: The obese group showed higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and postprandial blood sugar. No significant difference was seen in the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein, and fasting blood sugar between the two groups.
Conclusions: Increased levels of TC and TG with no change in HDL levels would be a compounding factor for increasing the risk of atherogenesis. If derangement of these parameters can be detected early in adulthood, it would be useful in identifying the causes for obesity, its treatment, and prevention of complications arising later in life by bringing about a change in lifestyle management.
Key words: Body Mass Index; Waist-hip Ratio; Lipid Profile, Blood Glucose Level
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