Comparative effects of overweight on cardiovascular risk in younger versus older men

Abstract

The relation of age and body mass index (BMI) to atherosclerosis risk factors was examined in 357 men. Older (≥45 years) men had higher (p < 0.01) systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting cholesterol and glucose, and 1-hour glucose and insulin levels. Fasting insulin and triglyceride levels were not significantly different between the 2 age groups. Although older men (n = 170) had greater values for several risk factors, overweight (BMI 25.5 kg/m 2) increased risk factors more in men younger than 45 years (n = 187). In younger men, those with higher BMIs had a greater prevalence, respectively, of blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg (35.2 vs 11.2%, p < 0.0001), cholesterol 200 mg/dl (53.5 vs 29.3%, p < 0.001), fasting triglycerides 150 mg/dl (38.0 vs 10.3%, p < 0.0001), 1-hour glucose 160 mg/dl (15.5 vs 5.2%, p < 0.05), fasting insulin 11 μU/ml (28.2 vs 5.2%, p < 0.0001), and 1-hour insulin > 110 μU/ml (28.2 vs 9.5%, p < 0.001). In contrast, among older men, the prevalence of elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose values was not significantly greater in the subgroup with high BMI. However, elevations of fasting (19.6 vs 6.4%, p < 0.05) and 1-hour insulin (29.3 vs 11.5%, p < 0.01) values were more common among older men with higher BMIs. Data indicate that older men have greater values for several cardiovascular risk factors than do younger men. Overweight increases the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors more in younger men.