The emergence of the metabolic syndrome in urban obese African women: the POWIRS study
Year: 2005
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The detrimental effects of obesity in Caucasians and African- Americans have been the focus of many recent publications, but
data on Africans are still lacking. The aim of this study was to
assess the health determinants of urban, obese African women by
comparing the lifestyle and risk factors associated with the metabolic
syndrome of lean, overweight and obese subjects. This
case-case-control study included 102 urban African women (aged
20-50 years), consisting of three groups (39 lean [body mass index
(BMI): 18.5-24.9 kg/m 2 ], 25 overweight [BMI: 25-29.9 kg/m 2 ],
and 38 obese [BMI luggl/ug 30 kg/m 2 ]). Measurements included various
questionnaires (including demographic, psychological, and
quantitative food consumption questionnaires), anthropometric
measurements (including skinfolds and fat percentage), cardiovascular
performance with a Finometer device (recording parameters
such as blood pressure and arterial compliance), and an oral
glucose tolerance test. Different biochemical analyses were
conducted to determine levels of lipids, haemostatic factors, leptin,
C-reactive protein and liver enzymes. Results indicated that the
obese group had the worst exposures, namely the poorest living
conditions, smallest income, lowest levels of education, least
sense of spiritual well-being and highest self-reported alcohol
intake. They also presented the most adverse health outcomes,
such as significantly higher (P<0.05) blood pressure, significantly
higher gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), leptin, triglycerides,
fasting blood glucose, fibrinogen, and PAI-1 levels. An elevated
GGT level (GGT > 45 IU/l) was identified as one of the most distinctive
conditions for being obese as well as having high-normal blood
pressure (age-adjusted odds ratio = 4.10 for being obese, and 5.31
for having high-normal blood pressure). We conclude that the
obese group showed the most vulnerable health profile compared
to the lean and overweight groups. These results represent an
important challenge facing South Africa and other low income
countries, particularly regarding their urban populations.
Source: South African Journal of Science
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2415601172