Coexistence of increased levels of adiposity, insulin, and blood pressure in a young adult cohort with elevated very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

Clustering and interrelationships of elevated levels (> 75th percentile) of adiposity, insulin, blood pressure, and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) were examined in a selected subset (n = 89) of a young adult cohort aged 18 to 26 years, whose childhood (ages 10 to 18 years) VLDL-C and/or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were in the upper or lower percentiles of the distribution. Among the young adults with elevated VLDL-C and LDL-C levels, 23% had increased adiposity and systolic blood pressure, 17% had increased insulin levels and systolic blood pressure, 17% had increased insulin levels and adiposity, and 13% had increased insulin levels, adiposity, and systolic blood pressure; corresponding values among those with elevated VLDL-C and normal (< 75th percentile) LDL-C levels were 29%, 18%, 24%, and 18%. As adults, the group with elevated VLDL-C and LDL-C levels had increased adiposity (P = .02) and systolic blood pressure (P = .002) in comparison to those with normal VLDL-C and LDL-C levels, whereas the group with elevated VLDL-C and normal LDL-C levels had increased fasting plasma insulin levels (P = .05) and systolic blood pressure (P = .007). These 89 individuals had undergone a glucose tolerance test during childhood.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)