A cross-sectional analysis of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in older females: association between body fat distribution and physical fitness

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine whether body fat distribution and physical fitness would be associated with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in post-menopausal females. Android fat distribution were more likely to have altered total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), glycemic levels (GL) body fat percentage (%BF), and body mass index (BMI), and those with inadequate physical fitness showed clear alterations in TC, HDL-C, and TG. Gynoid fat distribution group fared better regarding CVD risk. In conclusion, adequate physical fitness demonstrates a protective factor against CVDs, with the greatest benefit to those with gynoid fat distribution.

KEYWORDS:

• Physical activity
• cardiovascular disease risk factors
• obesity
• body fat
• cross-sectional analysis

Acknowledgments

We are very thankful to Dr. Robert Anzalone for his feedback and for reviewing this manuscript. This study was supported in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brazil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001.”

Disclosure statement

“No competing financial interests exist.”

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior [Finance Code 001].