Background: Adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic protein that has a protective effect against atherosclerosis and diabetes. It is exclusively secreted by adipose tissue. Serum adiponectin levels are inversely associated with parameters of overall adiposity including body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and percentage of body fat.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study of 76 women we sought to evaluate if adiponectin is associated primarily with central adiposity rather than overall adiposity. We also assessed adiponectin changes after weight loss in a subgroup of 42 obese subjects.
Results: Waist to hip ratio (WHR), an index of central obesity, was the only variable independently associated to adiponectin (Beta= 0.25, P< 0.05). A mean increase of 8.2 ± 24.2% in adiponectin concentration was observed in response to the dietary restriction and weight loss (P= 0.03). Our findings provide evidence for association of serum adiponectin level with visceral fat, represented by waist to hip ratio index.
Conclusion: Moderate weight loss result in significant improvements in adiponectin concentration and provide another biological explanation for the beneficial effect of body weight loss on reducing cardiovascular and diabetes risks in obese patients.