Cardiometabolic Outcomes Among Adults With Abdominal Obesity and Normal Body Mass Index

What is the estimated global prevalence of normal-weight abdominal obesity, and is it associated with cardiometabolic outcomes?In this cross-sectional study of 471 228 participants, the prevalence of normal-weight abdominal obesity was 21.7%, with the highest in Eastern Mediterranean and lowest in the Western Pacific regions. Normal-weight abdominal obesity was consistently associated with hypertension, diabetes, high total cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides globally.These findings suggest that public health initiatives, such as the promotion of regular physical exercise and a healthy diet, should target not only individuals with overweight or obesity but also those with a normal weight and abdominal obesity.

Corresponding author: Kedir Y. Ahmed, MPH, PhD, Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, 346 Leeds Parade, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia (kahmed@csu.edu.au).

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