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Low-density lipoprotein particle size, central obesity, cardiovascular fitness, and insulin resistance syndrome markers in obese youths

International Journal of Obesity volume 26, pages 1030–1035 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: (1) To determine the prevalence of small dense low-density lipoprotein (SDLDL) particles in obese youths and (2) to compare youths with SDLDL and large buoyant LDL (LBLDL) subclass phenotypes in total body and abdominal fatness, cardiovascular (CV) fitness, and markers of the insulin resistance syndrome (IRS).

DESIGN: For group comparisons, subjects were dichotomized into either SDLDL phenotype group or LBDL phenotype group based on LDL particle size.

SUBJECTS: Obese 13 to 16-y-olds (n=80) who had a triceps skinfold greater than the 85th percentile for gender, ethnicity, and age.

MEASUREMENTS: LDL particle size, plasma lipids and lipoprotein concentrations, plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, and blood pressures; percentage body fat, visceral adipose tissue (VAT); VO2 at a heart rate of 170 bpm as an index of CV fitness.

RESULTS: The prevalence of the SDLDL phenotype was 54% among the 80 obese youths. Although overall body fatness (ie BMI and percentage body fat) and CV fitness were similar between the two LDL phenotype groups, the SDLDL phenotype group had significantly higher weight, waist circumference and VAT than the LBLDL phenotype group. With respect to the IRS markers, youths with the SDLDL phenotype had significantly higher triacylglycerol (TAG), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLC), apolipoprotein B (apo B), and total cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (TC/HDLC) than youths with the LBLDL phenotype. LDL particle size as a continuous variable was significantly correlated with TAG, VLDLC, apo B, HDLC, and TC/HDLC. Plasma TAG and HDLC concentrations were independent predictors of LDL particle size.

CONCLUSION: (1) The SDLDL phenotype was common in obese youths and (2) the relationships of LDL particle size with several of the IRS markers suggested that already in adolescence the expression of the SDLDL phenotype might be an important risk factor for future coronary heart disease mortality and morbidity.

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Acknowledgements

Supported by grant HL55564 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood lnstitute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Georgia Prevention Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA

    H-S Kang, B Gutin & P Barbeau

  2. Department of Radiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA

    MS Litaker

  3. Office of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA

    J Allison

  4. Lipid Research Laboratory, Emory University, Georgia, USA

    N-A Le

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  1. H-S Kang
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Correspondence to H-S Kang.

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Kang, HS., Gutin, B., Barbeau, P. et al. Low-density lipoprotein particle size, central obesity, cardiovascular fitness, and insulin resistance syndrome markers in obese youths. Int J Obes 26, 1030–1035 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802045

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