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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2014; 122(2): 87-91
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1363686
Article
© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Physical Fitness can Partly Explain the Metabolically Healthy Obese Phenotype in Women

F. Poelkens
1   Department of Physiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
2   General Internal Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
T. M. H. Eijsvogels
1   Department of Physiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
P. Brussee
1   Department of Physiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
R. J. H. M. Verheggen
1   Department of Physiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
2   General Internal Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
C. J. Tack
2   General Internal Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
M. T. E. Hopman
1   Department of Physiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 19 September 2013
first decision 05 December 2013

accepted 11 December 2013

Publication Date:
19 February 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Objective:

To investigate whether physical fitness and/or fat distribution and inflammation profile may explain why approximately 30% of the women with obesity are protected against obesity-related disorders.

Method:

10 metabolically healthy obese women and 10 age- and weight-matched women with the metabolic syndrome were enrolled. Physical fitness (VO2max), daily physical activity levels (METs, steps per day), insulin sensitivity (clamp), body fat distribution (DXA scan) and, inflammation markers and adipokines were determined.

Results:

The metabolically healthy obese women had a 17% higher VO2max (25.1±3.9 vs. 21.5±3.1 ml ∙ min−1 ∙ kg−1, p=0.04) and tended to take more steps per day (7 388±1 440 vs. 5 927±1 301, p=0.06) than women with the metabolic syndrome. Despite equivalent levels of fat mass, metabolically healthy obese women had significantly lower circulating TNF-α levels compared to women with the metabolic syndrome (3.55±3.83 vs. 0.43±0.97 ng/ml, p=0.03). No differences were seen in insulin sensitivity, adipokines, and inflammatory markers between both groups.

Conclusion:

Metabolically healthy obese women have a higher cardio-respiratory fitness and lower TNF-α levels, which may partly explain why these women are protected from the detrimental effects of obesity compared to obese women with the metabolic syndrome.

Key words

obesity - metabolic syndrome - maximal oxygen consumption - adipose tissue - inflammation
 

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