Clinic, anthropometric and metabolic changes in adults with class III obesity classified as metabolically healthy and metabolically unhealthy

Abstract

Purpose: To describe clinical, biochemical and anthropometric profiles in adults with class III obesity classified as metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO). Patients and methods: This is a cross-sectional study with patients classified as MHO and MUHO according to the NCEP-ATP III. Anthropometric, biochemical and clinical variables were analyzed. Results: A total of 223 subjects were evaluated and 32.73% were classified as MHO and 67.26% as MUHO, respectively. The insulin resistance homeostasis model (HOMA-IR) showed elevation in the MUHO group (p=0.003) and anthropometric variables were correlated with bone markers [body index mass (BMI) vs phosphorus: R=0.31, p<0.001; BMI vs 25(OH)D: R=−0.31, p=0.041]. Visceral adiposity index was lower in MHO (p=0.001). Negative correlations between inflammatory markers and bone markers were observed in the MHO group (calcium vs C-reactive protein: −0.30, p=0.017; parathyroid hormone vs HOMA-IR: R=−0.28, p=0.017. Conclusion: MHO individuals showed important metabolic changes, such as those observed in MUHO, despite lower prevalence and severity. Continuous monitoring of these individuals is suggested, given the transient nature of the MHO phenotype.