Visceral fat accumulation as a risk factor for coronary heart diseases among a Japanese occupational population

Abstract

AimsWe clarified the extent to which visceral fat accumulation (VFA) in active workers increases the risk of developing atherosclerotic disease. MethodsA total of 19,189 white-collar workers aged 35 to 59 who had no history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and lifestyle-related diseases were included. The risk of developing CAD was analyzed using the Suita score according to obesity types. ResultsIn office workers with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and VFA (VFO group), the Suita score was significantly higher than those of the other obesity types. For workers with VFA even if BMI was <25 kg/m2 (VFA group), the Suita score was significantly higher than that of normal office workers (NO group) and that of workers with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 but without VFA. In addition, excessive drinking was more common in the VFA group than in the NO group, and fewer workers in the VFA group had exercise habits. In the VFO group, short sleep and insomnia were also more common compared with the NO group. ConclusionsIn active workers, it was shown that the risk of developing CAD increased not only with increase of BMI but also with the presence of VFA.