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Objective: There is debate over the most appropriate adiposity markers of obesity-associated
health risk. We evaluated the relationship between fat distribution and C-reactive protein (hs-
CRP), independent of total adiposity.
Research design and methods: We studied 350 people with abdominal adiposity (waist/hip ratio
≥ 0.9, males; ≥0.85, females) and 199 controls (waist/hip <0.9, males; <0.85, females) matched
for BMI and age. Hs-CRP and major cardiovascular RF were measured.
Results: Participants with abdominal adiposity had the same BMI as controls (24.8±2.5 vs
24.7±2.2 kg/m²), but significantly higher waist circumference (96.4±6.0 vs 83.3±6.7 cm; p<0.01)
and waist/hip ratio (1.07±0.08 vs 0.85 ±0.05; p<0.001). Compared to controls, participants with
abdominal adiposity had an adverse cardiovascular risk factor profile, significantly higher Hs-
CRP (1.96±2.60 vs 1.53±1.74 mg/dl, p<0.01) and a two-fold prevalence of elevated (>3mg/dl)
CRP values
Conclusions: In non obese people, moderate abdominal adiposity is associated with markers of
subclinical inflammation independent of BMI.
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