The relation between the plasma lipoprotein pattern and the waist/hip ratio in non-diabetic individuals.

Relations between lipoprotein indices and the waist/hip ratio (WHR) were examined in normoglycemic subjects (124 women and 63 men). Among women, an atherogenic lipoprotein pattern was strongly associated with WHR. The relation was greater than that of the lipoprotein pattern with either the body mass index or the subscapular/triceps ratio, and was independent of these adiposity measures. The association between low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) and WHR was much stronger in thinner women than in those more obese (r = 0.64 vs r = 0.22, p = 0.001 for difference). Men had a more atherogenic lipoprotein pattern than women; however, with allowances for WHR the lipoprotein patterns were similar. These findings suggest that: (1) WHR is more strongly related to plasma lipoproteins than other adiposity measures; (2) there is effect modification by the extent of adiposity for the relation between LDL-cholesterol and WHR; and (3) the adipose distribution may be important in explaining lipoprotein differences between men and women.