Preliminary Study: Effect Of Body Fat Percentage On Arterial Stiffness In Young Healthy Hispanic Males

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a serious health concern worldwide and it is a common health condition in Hispanic population. High body fat percentage is inversely related to aerobic fitness and increased arterial stiffness, which is an independent CVD risk factor. However, there is limited data about the effects of body fat percentage on arterial stiffness in Hispanic population. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of Body Fat Percentage (BFP) on arterial stiffness in young healthy Hispanic males. METHODS: Ten young (5 in each group, age: Low Fat group (LF, BFP < 25%) = 23.2 ± 1.8 yrs, High Fat group (HF, BFP > 25%) = 22.8 ± 4.3 yrs) healthy, casually active Hispanic males volunteered for the study. Aerobic capacity (VO 2peak ) was measured by metabolic cart during graded exercise testing on the treadmill. Hemodynamic variables including blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were measured in supine position by automated BP monitor. BFP was measured by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and arterial stiffness indices including heart rate normalized augmentation index ([email protected]) and Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) were acquired by tonometer and ambulatory BP monitor, respectively. RESULTS: HF group exhibited significantly lower aerobic capacity (41.64 ml/kg/min) when compared to LF group (48.86 ml/kg/min) ( p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in hemodynamic variables including systolic BP, diastolic BP and HR ( p > 0.05 for all). In addition, PWV (HF vs. LF; 5.5 ± 0.5 m/s vs. 5.3 ± 0.4 m/s) and [email protected] (HF vs. LF: 0.0 % ± 13.8 vs. -8.8 % ± 5.3) were not statistically different between groups ( p > 0.05 for both) CONCLUSION: Although HF group exhibited significantly lower aerobic capacity, BFP does not affect arterial stiffness in young casually active Hispanic males. Future study with more participants will be needed.