Role of body visceral fat in hypertension and dyslipidemia among the diabetic and nondiabetic ethnic population of Tripura—A comparative study

BACKGROUND: Excess fat in the upper part of human body correlates with increased mortality and risk for diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. In India, there are very limited data available on the association of excess body visceral fat with hypertension and dyslipidemia independent of obesity and diabetes. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the role of body visceral fat percentage in hypertension and dyslipidemia among diabetic and nondiabetic indigenous ethnic population of Tripura. METHODS: Random blood sugar test was done for each of the study subjects with the help of a standard and validated glucometer. Then, blood samples were obtained after an 8–12-h overnight fast using vacutainer. Later on, all the blood samples were transported to the MRU laboratory at Agartala Government Medical College maintaining cold chain for following investigations: (1) FBS, PP by GOD-POD method; (2) HbA1c by immunoturbidimetric method; (3) cholesterol estimation by CHOD-PAP method; and (4) triglyceride estimation by glycerol phosphate oxidase method. RESULTS: In this study, it has been found that 62.5% diabetic subjects having high body visceral fat are suffering from Dyslipidemia, whereas only 42.9% nondiabetic subjects with high body visceral fat percentage are having dyslipidemia. Fisher's exact test showed association between diabetes status and body visceral fat (P = 0.048). It has been also observed that there was significant (P < 0.05) association between hypertension and body visceral fat among local indigenous ethnic population of Tripura. CONCLUSION: Body visceral fat percentage is significantly associated with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and type-2 diabetes among indigenous ethnic population of Tripura.