Abstract
Objective
To test the hypothesis that short stature is associated with abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and lipid profile changes.
Methods
Anthropometric data were collected from 237 women (18–60 years old), residents of a shantytown in Maceió. Biochemical profiles of 60 individuals drawn from this population were determined.
Results
Total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and insulin resistance rose with increasing waist:hip circumference ratio, particularly in women. Short, overweight individuals exhibited larger biochemical alterations than overweight individuals of average stature.
Conclusion
Short stature, when associated with overweight, is a risk factor for increased insulin resistance and alterations in lipid profile.
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