METABOLIC PROFILE AND DISEASE RISK OF OBESE WOMEN IN MOZAMBIQUE

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide. However, the common perception is that obesity is not a problem in underdeveloped countries. Recognizing that little is known about the health implications of obesity in underdeveloped nations, the World Health Organization has called for research to identify populations at particular risk for obesity and its comorbidities, and for baseline data that may be used for monitoring the effectiveness of national programs to control obesity. Although Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world and under nutrition is commonplace, the prevalence of obesity is rising in many segments of the population. PURPOSE To characterize the metabolic profile and disease risk of obese Mozambique women. METHODS Obese women (n = 57) from Mozambique, Africa volunteered to receive metabolic tests and fitness evaluations. Each woman reported to the laboratory in the fasted state to receive the following evaluations: glucose tolerance test, blood lipid profile, anthropometry, blood pressure, flexibility, and aerobic capacity. RESULTS Demographic data for the women mirrored that which often describes obese women in developed countries: Age, 43.5 ± 5.0 (mean±SD); height, 159.2 ± 6.3 cm; weight, 82.4 ± 14.6 kg. The women were characterized as being obese; BMI, 32.5 ± 5.2; waist circumference, 94.8 ± 11 cm; waist/hip ratio, 0.82 ± 0.08; as well as being unfit; VO2max, 19.5 ± 4.1 ml/kg/min; sit-and-reach score, 30.0 ± 7.3 cm. The disease risk profile for these women show high normal values for systolic (132 ± 19 mm Hg) and diastolic (89 ± 12 mm Hg) blood pressures. Total cholesterol (4.71 ± 1.07 mmol/l), HDL cholesterol (1.31 ± 0.31 mmol/l), and LDL cholesterol (2.92 ± 1.01 mmol/l) were all within the normal range. Although fasting glucose levels were normal (5.55 ± 1.42 mmol/l), 36% of the women demonstrated insulin resistance during the glucose tolerance test. CONCLUSION Although obese women from Mozambique are physically unfit, their only comorbidity risk is insulin insensitivity.