The relationship between obesity and serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride level in men 18-34 years old living in district 6 of Tehran: comparison of BMI,waist and waist to hip ratio

Cardiovascular diseases are among the most important causes of mortality and major health problems in developed as well as developing countries including Iran. This study aimed to develop percentile reference data for serum lipids including total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride and to determine the prevalence of overweight and fat distribution in male adults living in Tehran.

The study population consisted of 141 men aged 18-34 years living in district 6 of Tehran.According to list of primary schools located in district 6 of Tehran, subjects were chosen from residents around these schools. Sociodemographic and anthropometric questionnaires were filled in at the subject's home. They were asked to attend the study center the next day at 8:00-8:30 am and 5 ml of fasting blood (at least 12 hours) was collected from each subject. Data statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software Ver 11.5. Chi square test was used for qualitative variables and Pearson correlation was calculated for quantitative variables.

Data showed 24.8% hypercholesterolemia, 29.8% hypertriglyceridemia, 21.3% LDL>130mg/dl and 36.2% HDL<40mg/dl in the subjects. BMI was positively and significantly correlated with total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol but no significant correlation was observed for waist circumference and waist to hip ratio with blood indices.

The study shows that BMI can be a predictive factor for cardiovascular disease in Iranian population. In order to clarify waist circumference and waist to hip ratio correlations with and blood lipids and also to develop percentile reference data for blood lipids, more studies with larger study population is recommended.