ASSOCIATION OF STRESS AND DEPRESSION WITH REGIONAL FAT DISTRIBUTION IN HEALTHY MIDDLE-AGED MEN

We examined whether the association of regional fat distribution with stress, defined in terms of vital exhaustion, and depression varies ac cording to the total amount of body fat accumulation in healthy middle -aged men (n = 64). Regional fat distribution was measured using the w aist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), and the total amount of body fa t accumulation was measured using the body mass index (BMI). The resul ts indicate that WHR in lean men was associated with characteristics c ontrary to those in moderately obese men. In lean men WHR tended to be associated with a high level of stress, while in moderately obese men an association was found with a low level of stress and a low level o f depressive symptomatology. The present results support the suggestio n that there is a difference between abdominal obesity at different de grees of generalized obesity, and they are likely to further our under standing about the differing risk for cardiovascular disorders posed b y abdominal obesity in lean men compared to abdominal obesity in moder ately obese men.