A favorable metabolic profile in metabolically healthy obesity is associatedwith physical activity level rather than abdominal fat volume in Japanesemales

摘要

[Purpose] To determine the potential factors for difference in metabolic profilesbetween metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy obesity, we investigatedthe difference in abdominal fat volume, metabolic characteristics, and physical activitylevels between metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy obesityidentified with cardiovascular disease risk factors in Japanese males. [Participants andMethods] Of 305 volunteers recruited, 130 obese males (age: 46.9 ± 8.9 years; body massindex: 29.6 ± 3.5 kg/m2) met the criteria for the study. They were divided intotwo groups; metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy obesity according tocardiovascular disease risk factors including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.Abdominal fat volumes were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Cardiovasculardisease risk factors and metabolic characteristics were evaluated by blood pressure andblood parameters. Physical activity levels were measured using an accelerometer. [Results]Despite the fact that metabolically healthy obesity had a more favorable metabolic profilethan the metabolically unhealthy obesity, no significant differences in visceral andsubcutaneous fat volumes were found between the two groups. Moreover, the metabolicallyhealthy obesity had a significantly greater physical activity expenditure andmoderate-to-vigorous physical activity level than the metabolically unhealthy obesity.[Conclusion] A more favorable metabolic profile in metabolically healthy obesity may beassociated with physical activity level rather than abdominal fat volumes in Japanesemales.