Relationship between body mass index, lipids and homocysteine levels in university students.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of obesity on blood lipids and homocysteine levels of university students. METHODS The study comprised of 172 male and 183 female students who were classified according to their body mass index (BMI) into 3 groups as underweight, normal weight and overweight. Anthropometric measurements, blood lipids and homocysteine levels were analyzed. RESULTS Mean fat mass percentage (FM %), triceps, biceps, suprailiac and the sum of skinfold thickness were significantly higher in girls than boys (p < 0.001). Frequency of overweight (BMI = 25.0-30.0 kg/m2) in boys and girls was found to be 13.3% and 6.6% respectively. There was a negative correlation between the body weight and HDL-cholesterol (r = -0.33, p < 0.01), a positive correlation between WHR and VLDL-cholesterol levels (r = 0.42, p < 0.01). As long as body weight, WHR and FM (%) increase, homocysteine level also increases. Overweight students had significantly higher level of VLDL-C, triglycerides (TG), TC/HDL-C ratio and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio than normal and underweight students (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Obesity effects blood lipid and homocysteine levels negatively. The early detection and control of obesity and the management of dyslipidemia and homocysteine levels may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the young population.