Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the association between the muscle fitness to visceral fat level (MVF) ratio and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics among college students. A total of 1467 young adults recruited from the FUPRECOL study (Asociación de la Fuerza Prensil con Manifestaciones Tempranas de Riesgo Cardiovascular en Jóvenes y Adultos Colombianos), were categorized into four quartiles based on their MVF ratio. Muscular fitness was assessed using a digital handgrip dynamometer and visceral fat level was determined through bioelectrical impedance analysis. Ideal CVH was assessed, including lifestyle characteristics, anthropometry, blood pressure, and biochemical parameters. The body weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, fat mass index, and visceral fat level were significantly higher in subjects in Q1 (lower MVF ratio) than those in Q2, Q3, or Q4 (p < 0.001). The muscle fitness (handgrip and normalized grip strength (NGS)) of the subjects in Q4 was significantly greater than that of those in Q1 to Q2 (p < 0.001). Subjects with a medium-high MVF ratio (i.e., 3–4th quartiles) had an odds ratio of 2.103 of ideal CVH metrics after adjusting for age, gender, university, and alcohol intake (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.832 to 2.414; p < 0.001). A lower MVF ratio is associated with worse CVH metrics and a higher prevalence of MetS in early adulthood, supporting the hypothesis that the MVF ratio could be used as a complementary screening tool that could help clinicians identify young adults with unfavorable levels of CVH and metabolic risk.
Highlights
Dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure (BP), and impaired fasting glycemia have been identified as cardiometabolic risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), with the fastest rise being seen in Latin-American countries [1]
The findings indicate that those subjects positioned in Q4 present better cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics, they show a greater proportion of normal body mass index (BMI) values, are more active, and have a healthier diet, as well as having total cholesterol and glucose levels within the normal range
Our findings indicate that the muscle fitness to visceral fat level (MVF) ratio is a relevant and effective indicator for defining CVH metrics in Colombian young adults
Summary
Dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure (BP), and impaired fasting glycemia have been identified as cardiometabolic risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), with the fastest rise being seen in Latin-American countries [1]. In 2010, 51.2% of women and men aged 18–64 years were either overweight or obese [3]. Excess weight was more prevalent in women than men (55.2% versus 45.6%), concerning the obese subgroup (20.1% versus 11.5%). Research assessing CVD risk in college students aged 18–24 has revealed an alarmingly high prevalence of abnormal risk factor profiles [4]. As many as 33% of young adults are overweight [5], and this excess weight leads to dyslipidemia and increased incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) [6]
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