Correlation between Central Obesity and Liver Function in Young Adults-A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Visceral fat is a more accurate predictor of metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk than body fat alone. Although the liver function is associated with waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in studies, this correlation is not well established in young central obese individuals. In this study, we examined the correlation between liver function parameters and central obesity in young obese subjects. Methods Subjects with central obesity among the student and staff community between 18 and 40 years were recruited for the study after their written and informed consent. Male subjects whose WHR is above 0.90 and females above 0.85 were included. The liver function was assessed by estimating alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), albumin, globulin, albumin:globulin ratio (A:G ratio), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation to find the statistical significance between lung function parameters in centrally obese individuals with their WHR using SPSS version-16. A p -value less than 0.05 was considered the level of significance. Results The results showed an insignificant correlation between the liver function parameters ( p > 0.05) and WHR except for serum albumin ( p < 0.021). The level of AST, ALT, total protein, globulin, A:G ratio, GGT, total Bilirubin, and direct bilirubin in young male and female central obese subjects have not deviated from the normal physiological range. Conclusion The serum albumin level estimation will be considered an early indicator of metabolic disorder due to central obesity.