Loureiro · Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy 2019 · cross-sectional study · n=223

Clinic, Anthropometric And Metabolic Changes In Adults With Class III Obesity Classified As Metabolically Healthy And Metabolically Unhealthy.

Cited 6 times in the scientific literature.

Level 4 - case-series / case-control

Cross-sectional observational study

PubMed 31819568 · doi:10.2147/DMSO.S210616 · record verified 2026-08-28

What was done

A cross-sectional study evaluated 223 adults with class III obesity categorized as metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) or metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO) according to NCEP-ATP III criteria. Anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical variables—including HOMA-IR, visceral adiposity index, inflammatory markers, and bone markers—were analyzed and compared between groups.

What was found

Of 223 participants, 32.73% were classified as MHO and 67.26% as MUHO. HOMA-IR was significantly higher in the MUHO group (p=0.003), while visceral adiposity index was significantly lower in the MHO group (p=0.001). BMI correlated positively with phosphorus (r=0.31, p<0.001) and negatively with 25(OH)D (r=-0.31, p=0.041). In the MHO group, negative correlations occurred between calcium and C-reactive protein (r=-0.30, p=0.017) and between parathyroid hormone and HOMA-IR (r=-0.28, p=0.017).

Why it matters

The findings demonstrate that even individuals with class III obesity classified as metabolically healthy show underlying metabolic alterations, underscoring the need for longitudinal clinical surveillance.

Limits

The cross-sectional design cannot evaluate longitudinal progression or causality. The sample is limited to adults with class III obesity (n=223) and abstract does not detail demographic characteristics, recruitment methods, or medication use.

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