Excess abdominal fat is associated with which cluster of metabolic abnormalities?

Excess abdominal fat is associated with which cluster of metabolic abnormalities?

• A. Increased HDL cholesterol and improved glucose tolerance.
• B. Abnormal fasting plasma glucose or insulin resistance, dyslipidemias, and hypertension.
• C. Decreased blood pressure and reduced insulin resistance.
• D. Normal glucose tolerance and lipid profile.

Answer: (B)

Excess abdominal fat signals visceral adiposity, which is metabolically active and releases free fatty acids and proinflammatory adipokines into the bloodstream. This drives hepatic insulin resistance and increased glucose production, leading to abnormal fasting glucose or insulin resistance. The same visceral fat contributes to dyslipidemia by raising triglycerides and lowering HDL cholesterol, and it promotes hypertension through mechanisms like increased sympathetic activity, sodium retention, and RAAS activation. Together, these changes form a metabolic-risk cluster linked to central obesity. Options describing improved glucose tolerance, higher HDL, or normal metabolic profiles don’t fit this pattern.

Excess abdominal fat signals visceral adiposity, which is metabolically active and releases free fatty acids and proinflammatory adipokines into the bloodstream. This drives hepatic insulin resistance and increased glucose production, leading to abnormal fasting glucose or insulin resistance. The same visceral fat contributes to dyslipidemia by raising triglycerides and lowering HDL cholesterol, and it promotes hypertension through mechanisms like increased sympathetic activity, sodium retention, and RAAS activation. Together, these changes form a metabolic-risk cluster linked to central obesity. Options describing improved glucose tolerance, higher HDL, or normal metabolic profiles don’t fit this pattern.