Gender Differences in Fat Distribution and Inflammatory Markers among Arabs

Recent studies from the Gulf region suggest that compared to men, women have a greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MeS). Objective. To investigate gender differences in body composition, adipokines, inflammatory markers, and aerobic fitness in a cohort of healthy Qatari adults. Participan...

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Main Authors: Abdulaziz Farooq, Wade L. Knez, Kelly Knez, Asma Al-Noaimi, Justin Grantham, Vidya Mohamed-Ali
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Mediators of Inflammation
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/497324
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author Abdulaziz Farooq
Wade L. Knez
Kelly Knez
Asma Al-Noaimi
Justin Grantham
Vidya Mohamed-Ali
author_facet Abdulaziz Farooq
Wade L. Knez
Kelly Knez
Asma Al-Noaimi
Justin Grantham
Vidya Mohamed-Ali
author_sort Abdulaziz Farooq
collection DOAJ
description Recent studies from the Gulf region suggest that compared to men, women have a greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MeS). Objective. To investigate gender differences in body composition, adipokines, inflammatory markers, and aerobic fitness in a cohort of healthy Qatari adults. Participants. Healthy Qatari (n=58) were matched for age, gender, and body mass index. Methods. Body composition and regional fat distribution were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and computerized tomography. Laboratory assessments included serum levels of fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile analysis, adipokines, and inflammatory markers. Subjects were also evaluated for aerobic fitness. Results. Women had more adipose tissue in the total abdominal (P=0.04) and abdominal subcutaneous (P=0.07) regions compared to men. Waist circumference and indices of insulin sensitivity were similar; however, women had a more favourable lipid profile than men. Serum adiponectin and leptin levels were significantly higher in women, whereas inflammatory profiles were not different between men and women. Aerobic fitness was lower in women and was associated with abdominal fat accumulation. Conclusion. In premenopausal women, higher levels of adiponectin may support maintenance of insulin sensitivity and normolipidemia despite greater adiposity. However, poor aerobic fitness combined with abdominal fat accumulation may explain their greater future risk of MeS compared with men.
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spelling doaj-art-8d82629eadf7448aae752c0511a522c92025-08-20T03:37:56ZengWileyMediators of Inflammation0962-93511466-18612013-01-01201310.1155/2013/497324497324Gender Differences in Fat Distribution and Inflammatory Markers among ArabsAbdulaziz Farooq0Wade L. Knez1Kelly Knez2Asma Al-Noaimi3Justin Grantham4Vidya Mohamed-Ali5Aspetar, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, P.O. Box 29222, Doha, QatarAspetar, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, P.O. Box 29222, Doha, QatarAspetar, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, P.O. Box 29222, Doha, QatarSupreme Council of Health, P.O. Box 7744, Doha, QatarAspire Zone Foundation, P.O. Box 93097, Doha, QatarUniversity College London, 5 University Street, London WC1E 6JF, UKRecent studies from the Gulf region suggest that compared to men, women have a greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MeS). Objective. To investigate gender differences in body composition, adipokines, inflammatory markers, and aerobic fitness in a cohort of healthy Qatari adults. Participants. Healthy Qatari (n=58) were matched for age, gender, and body mass index. Methods. Body composition and regional fat distribution were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and computerized tomography. Laboratory assessments included serum levels of fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile analysis, adipokines, and inflammatory markers. Subjects were also evaluated for aerobic fitness. Results. Women had more adipose tissue in the total abdominal (P=0.04) and abdominal subcutaneous (P=0.07) regions compared to men. Waist circumference and indices of insulin sensitivity were similar; however, women had a more favourable lipid profile than men. Serum adiponectin and leptin levels were significantly higher in women, whereas inflammatory profiles were not different between men and women. Aerobic fitness was lower in women and was associated with abdominal fat accumulation. Conclusion. In premenopausal women, higher levels of adiponectin may support maintenance of insulin sensitivity and normolipidemia despite greater adiposity. However, poor aerobic fitness combined with abdominal fat accumulation may explain their greater future risk of MeS compared with men.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/497324
spellingShingle Abdulaziz Farooq
Wade L. Knez
Kelly Knez
Asma Al-Noaimi
Justin Grantham
Vidya Mohamed-Ali
Gender Differences in Fat Distribution and Inflammatory Markers among Arabs
Mediators of Inflammation
title Gender Differences in Fat Distribution and Inflammatory Markers among Arabs
title_full Gender Differences in Fat Distribution and Inflammatory Markers among Arabs
title_fullStr Gender Differences in Fat Distribution and Inflammatory Markers among Arabs
title_full_unstemmed Gender Differences in Fat Distribution and Inflammatory Markers among Arabs
title_short Gender Differences in Fat Distribution and Inflammatory Markers among Arabs
title_sort gender differences in fat distribution and inflammatory markers among arabs
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/497324
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