Influencia de la actividad física y el consumo calórico sobre la adiposidad visceral en adultos de la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction

The visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a simple and cost effective method for the determination of visceral adiposity. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between VAI and different cardiovascular risk factors, sociodemographic variables, and psychobiological habits in the adult population of the city of Cuenca, Ecuador.

Materials and methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 318 adult individuals selected by multistage random sampling, who underwent a clinical, anthropometric and laboratory evaluation. VAI was determined using the proposed formula that used abdominal circumference, body mass index, triglycerides, and HDL-Cholesterol. A multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the main factors associated with the highest values of visceral adiposity.

Results

The mean VAI was 2.57 (1.66-3.94) in the 318 individuals studied, with higher values for females. In the multiple logistic regression model, significant risk factors for moderate-high VAI were: age (>60 years: OR = 3.87, 95% CI: 1.15-12.96, P=.03), calorie intake, impaired fasting glucose, and leisure time physical activity.

Conclusion

VAI is a useful method to define those subjects with visceral adiposity in our region. Age, daily calorie intake, and impaired fasting glucose are the main factors associated with higher index values, while leisure time physical activity was a protective factor for classifying subjects in the more advanced stages.