Obesity and cardiovascular disease risk factors in Tehran adults: a population-based study.

The relationship between obesity and cardiovascular disease risk factors was assessed in 3622 males and 5025 females aged 20-70 years. Body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height and waist-to-hip ratios were calculated. Obese men had a higher risk of hypertension, high total cholesterol (TC), high triglycerides (TG), high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels than non-obese men. Centrally obese men were more susceptible to high TG, hypertension and high TC. Obese women had a higher chance of being hypertensive and having high total TC, high TG, high LDL-C and low HDL-C levels than non-obese females. Centrally obese women had higher odds for high TG and low HDL-C. There is a need for education about lifestyle change in the country.