Atherogenic Index as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Risk among Women with Different Grades of Obesity

Background: Overweight and obesity represent a rapidly growing threat to the healthy populations in an increasing number of countries. Obesity is thought to have a greater influence on cardiovascular diseases. Aims & Objective: Aim of present study was to assess an atherogenic index and lipid profile in obese women and to compare the same with non-obese women aged 40-55 years as above mentioned parameters are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Materials & Methods: A comparative and cross sectional study was conducted among 140 women (70-obese and70-non-obese) of age 40-55years. The study group was divided into four according to BMI, namely Group I ( BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2), Group II( BMI 30-34.9 kg/m2) , Group III( BMI 35 – 39.9 kg/m2) , Group IV (BMI > 40 kg/m2) including Control( BMI < 25 kg / m 2 ) . Anthropometric parameters like height (cm), weight (Kg), BMI were recorded. In lipid profile we studied TC, HDL, TG, LDL, and VLDL. Atherogenic index was calculated. Statistical analysis was done using Student’s ‘t’ test and correlation was done by using Pearson’s coefficient. Results: The results of our study showed that in middle aged women significant increase in atherogenic index with increasing BMI (p<0.05). Values of TC, TG and VLDL showed significant increase in group II, III, IV compared to control. HDL, LDL and VLDL levels were seen significantly decreased in group I compared to control. We showed positive insignificant correlation between BMI and atherogenic index in obese group (r= 0.19, p= 0.113) International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health Vol. 4 No. 10 (2012) 1768 Conclusion: Obesity, no doubt alters lipid profile. A triglyceride based index (AI) can significantly add value when assessing the cardiovascular risk in obese women.