Resting heart rate but not heart rate variability is associated with the normal‐weight obesity phenotype

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo determine differences in resting heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate (HR) between young adults with normal‐weight obesity (NWO) and normal‐weight lean (NWL).MethodsA total of 65 normal‐weight individuals (18–25 years old, 50 women, body mass index 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2) were included in this cross‐sectional study. Body fat percentage was determined using a whole‐body dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry scanner. Resting HRV and HR were assessed with the Polar RS800CX. Forty‐one participants were classified as NWO and 24 NWL using cutoff points for body fat percentage (33.3% for women and 23.1% for men).ResultsThere were no differences in HRV between NWO and NWL groups (all p > .05). HR was higher in NWO (mean 70 beats per minute [bpm], standard deviation [SD] 8) than in NWL adults (mean 65 bpm, SD 10), the adjusted mean difference 5 bpm (95% CI, 0 to 10 bpm).ConclusionHR is a noninvasive biomarker and relatively cheap, fast, and easy to measure that could detect “apparently healthy” young individuals with an adverse cardiovascular disease risk profile despite presenting a normal body weight.