Body Composition in Healthy Obese/Overweight and Normal Weight Subjects Compared to Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Background: According to previous studies, patient with metabolic syndrome(MetS) are different in terms of body composition from healthy subjects. Thepurpose of the present study was to determine the body composition of healthyobese/overweight patients and compared them with those having MetS.Methods: A case-control study was conducted on both men and women aged 20to 55 years, who were selected using sequential sampling method, based on theinclusion and exclusion criteria, from those referred to an endocrinology and thediabetes clinic affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. One hundredand forty seven subjects were enrolled in the study and divided into three groups,including 49 with MetS, 49 obese/overweight subjects without MetS, and 49were normal weight subjects. Body composition was measured for all subjectsusing bioelectrical impedance analysis. NCEP ATP III was the criterion fordefinition of Mets. Results: No significant differences were found between thestudy groups in terms of demographic variables. The mean of the waistcircumference (WC) was higher in MetS patients (P < 0.05) as compared withthe control groups. Obese/overweight group had higher percentage of body fatand lower fat free mass than normal weight group (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Obese/overweight patients with and without MetS had significantly higher fatmass and WC than normal weight controls, while only WC was higher in MetSgroup as compared with obese/overweight patients without MetS. Therefore,reduction in body fat and WC should be emphasized in patients with MetS.

Keywords:

Metabolic syndrome , Body composition , Obesity