Relationship of Obesity to Serum Triglyceride, Cholesterol, and Uric Acid, and to Plasma-Glucose Levels

Abstract

The relationships between body fatness and several biochemical measurements was systematically explored in 104 patients free of known metabolic diseases. Abnormalities were common, elevated serum-cholesterol levels being encountered in 60% and elevated serum-triglyceride levels in 31% of the sample. A strong association was demonstrated between body fatness and elevations of serum triglycerides and uric acid, using a number of different statistical approaches. Other relationships were less striking. The adverse correspondence of weight gain during adult life with elevations of all four biochemical measures was demonstrated, although the ever present problem of causality in correlational studies cannot be denied.