Abdominal body fat distribution as a determinant of serum cardiovascular risk markers in Omani women: Exploring the link to fat storage hormone levels

As women age, biochemical and hormonal changes occur in their bodies that lead to abdominal fat accumulation and increased waist circumference, which is a feature typically found in males. Many studies have shown that central (abdominal) body fat is strongly linked to the development of heart disease, stroke and diabetes in men, and postmenopausal women. These disorders occur as a result of metabolic disturbances including dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and increased levels of harmful biochemical markers in serum that contribute to endothilial injury followed by cholesterol accumulation, hardening and blockage of blood vessels that supply the heart and vital organs. These events constitute the atherosclerosis process that happens slowly over time without clear consequences until the patient develops life threatening symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. The common perception thatheart diseaseis a man's problem is not true. On the contrary, more women die from heart attacks than men, and heart disease is number one killer of women worldwide. It has been reported that 1 in 3 women die from heart disease, mostly attributed to atherosclerosis, while 1 in 30 die of cancer. During menopause, women become more vulnerable to atherosclerosis. It has been recently reported that the death rate from cardiovascular diseases has decreased among men, but continues to increase in women. This is mainly due to poor follow-up of initial (atypical) symptoms of a heart attack in women that often go unnoticed as many women do not recognize the symptoms of a heart attack. Omani women are not an exception as 53.5% of Omani women are abdominally obese compared to 19.7% abdominally obese men, and many of these women suffer from metabolic consequences of this prominent health problem. Unfortunately most women in Oman do not understand that obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, is linked to increased cardiovascular risk. In this study we will investigate major cardiovascular risk serum markers and explore their in association with body fat percentage and fat distribution patterns in reproductive, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women . We will also investigate major fat storage factors and their link to abdominal obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. We will also compare the three groups of women considering risk markers, fat storage factors and anthropometric measures.Materials and methods:This is a cross sectional prospective association study that will be performed by recruiting 400 Omani women including reproductive, peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women. The study will be uniquely controlled for the menstrual cycle phase, where collection of samples and investigations will be applied. 6 ml of a venous blood sample will be taken from each patient and anthropometric measures including fat percentage and waist and skinfold thickness will be determined in these women. A questionnaire will be distributed to all women with relevant questions. The biochemical parameters to be measured include cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors and fat storage hormones. Objectives:Identifying disease markers can contribute to early detection of cardiovascular risk that guid women to undertake preventive measures and adopt healthy lifestyle habits. In case of increased risk, women could seek suitable therapeutic options before developing serious complications. In spite of the seriousness of obesity related metabolic disordrs and their fatal consequences, they are preventable. Studying risk factors and taking appropriate health measures may save many lives.