Sex-specific association of blood triglyceride and uric acid with body shapes in Chinese adults

Abstract

Background

Abnormal metabolic syndrome, adipose distribution and different body shapes caused by obesity are associated with the levels of blood biochemical indexes. However, the sex-specific relationship between body shapes and blood biochemical indexes is poorly investigated.

Research design and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1828 subjects matched by age and sex. The scatter plot and restricted cubic spline were used to analyze the correlation between variables. Logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between body shapes and the risk of abnormal blood biochemical indexes level.

Results

Compared with the non-obesity group, the compound obesity group had a higher risk of abnormal Glu and TG levels independent of sex. Besides, the sex-specific association showed that the risk of abnormal TG levels was higher in males with peripheral obesity but in females with central obesity. Meanwhile, female subjects with peripheral obesity had a higher risk of abnormal UA levels.

Conclusions

This study showed that obese subjects had a higher risk of abnormal UA and TG compared to non-obese subjects, and there were sex differences in this relationship, suggesting that future studies exploring the relationship between body shapes and blood biochemical indexes also need to consider the potential role of sex.