Body mass index and physical fitness as determinants of serum lipoprotein levels in middle-aged men.

The aim of the present study was to analyse to what extent serum lipoproteins are determined by overweight and physical fitness. Fifty-eight middle-aged males were divided into lean, overweight and obese subgroups according to their body mass indices, which characterization was also well in accordance with two skinfold thicknesses. Maximal oxygen consumption per body weight was lowest in the obese. HDL cholesterol was decreased in the obese compared to the lean. HDL cholesterol correlated separately significantly with maximal oxygen consumption and body mass index when all the three groups were combined. Physical fitness was a less dominant determinant of HDL cholesterol than body mass index. The importance of physical fitness as a determinant of HDL cholesterol was less marked in the obese than in the lean and overweight suggesting a need for certain level of physical activity before it can influence serum lipoprotein levels.