Keywords: prevention, prediabetes, obesity

Aim:

Obesity is a complex and multifactorial disease which leads to development of many comorbidities and increases cardiovascular risk. Despite its prevalence up to 20% of the Polish population and quite straightforward diagnostic criteria, obesity still remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of obesity and coexisting metabolic abnormalities in the Polish population of men who were previously considered healthy.

Method:

A multicentered, observational study conducted on a population of men aged ≥ 35 years old without previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes (DM) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) included in the CVD prevention program. We analysed anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests results (serum glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, non-HDL cholesterol and triglycerides). We also obtained the data on lifestyle with use of the Healthy Lifestyle and Personal Control Questionnaire (HLPCQ) and family history of cardiovascular disease. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2.

Results:

372 previously considered healthy males were included in the study. Among them 25% were diagnosed with obesity. We found a positive correlation with obesity and other metabolic abnormalities: increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lower HDL levels, higher triglycerides and fasting glucose levels. The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) differed significantly among the group without obesity (20%) and the group with obesity (32%); p<0.005. The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) differed between the two groups (5% vs 1%) without reaching statistical significance.

Conclusions:

Preventive programs in Poland aimed at diseases associated with lifestyle require redesign. Obesity is still an underdiagnosed disease and at the time of diagnosis many of the patients have already presented multiple cardiovascular risk factors as well as comorbidities such as prediabetes. There is a strong need for early prevention measures such as screening and education, but also early tertiary prevention in populations with diagnosed obesity.