ASSOCIATION BETWEEN AN EXCESSIVE BODY-MASS INDEX AND CORONARY HEART-DISEASE RISK-FACTORS IN MILITARY PERSONNEL

The purpose of this study was to document the extent of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in military personnel (412 men, 50 women) classified as seriously overweight (body mass index [BMI] 27.0-29.9 kg /M2) or obese (BMI greater-than-or-equal-to 30 kg/M2) and to evaluate the utility of the BMI to discriminate among individuals with an adver se CHD risk profile. Mean body weight and BMI greatly exceeded Canadia n norms, whereas mean heights were average. There were low but signifi cant correlations between BMI and resting and submaximal exercise (sta ge A of the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test) heart rates and blood press ures, while the correlation with predicted VO2max was negative. Except for blood glucose level (GLU) in men, there were no significant corre lations between BMI and various biochemical indices. Compared to ''ove rweight'' men, the percentage of ''obese'' men with abnormal values fo r risk factors were higher, particularly for an adverse exercise blood pressure response and low predicted VO2max. In summary, the correlati ons between BMI and the various CHD risk factors, except for GLU and t he exercise parameters, were minimal or moderate at best. It was concl uded that in overweight and obese individuals, BMI does not appear to be a particularly sensitive indicator of body fat and risk factors.