Young Obese Women and Heart Disease

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Peterson L, Herrero P, Schechtman K, et al.: Effects of obesity and insulin resistance on myocardial substrate metabolism and efficiency in young women. Circulation 109:2191-2196, 2004.

What is the problem and what is known about it?

Obesity is a growing problem in the U.S. Obese people are at higher risk of getting heart problems.

The researchers wanted to know if fatty acids in the heart muscle were working properly in obese women. Fatty acids are used by the body for energy. The heart's inability to use fatty acids properly may lead to a diseased, enlarged heart.

Who was studied?

A total of 31 women aged 19 to 37 years were studied. Twelve were normal weight and 19 were obese.

How was the study done?

Participants were given a health exam, which included questions about past medical problems and a measurement of their body mass index (BMI, a measure of a person's weight related to height). The participants also had blood tests, cholesterol tests, and an electrocardiogram (which measures the heart's electrical activity and helps doctors see how healthy a person's heart is). Twenty-nine of the women also took a glucose tolerance test to see how well their body handled a sugary drink.

What were the results?

Those with higher BMI scores were unable to use fatty acids as well as they should. Also, the women with high insulin resistance scores didn't use fatty acids as well as those with lower insulin resistance scores.

Blood glucose levels and body mass index predicted how well the women were able to break down fatty acids. Changes in how well the body uses fatty acids may lead to disease of the heart and blood vessels.

What were the limitations of this study?

This study included only women. A similar study including men may show different results.

What are the implications of the study?

More research is needed to explore the link between heart disease and how the body handles fatty acids.