Changes in body weight and body fat distribution as risk factors for metabolic syndrome in Iranian women

To examine the association between changes in body weight and body fat distribution and development of metabolic syndrome. Changes in body weight and body fat distribution and the appearance of metabolic syndrome over a 3 year duration were assessed in 2176 women of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to ATPIII criteria. Body fat distribution was determined by waist to hip ratio, waist circumference and hip girth. Stable waist and hip were defined successively as±2cm and -2cm to 0cm, respectively. The mean age of subjects was 36.4±12.7 years and the incidence of metabolic syndrome was 19 percent during this period. After controlling for age, family history, smoking status and physical activity, weight gain was monotonically related to the risk of development of metabolic syndrome (for each Kg of weight gained, risk increased by 1.15%). Changes in waist to hip ratio of over 0.07 cm, were significantly associated with risk (P<0.05), independent of the risk associated with weight change. Compared with women who had a stable waist, ≥ 3cm increase in waist circumference had 3.33 times (95%CI: 2.14-5.22) the risk of metabolic syndrome and ≥ 5cm increase in hip girth had 1.58 times (95%CI: 0.99-2.54) the risk of metabolic syndrome. Findings show that changes in weight and body fat distribution are associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome.