Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Body composition, particularly fat distribution, is closely linked to lipid metabolism. However, data on these associations among middle-aged and elderly populations of specific ethnic minorities in China remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the ethnic- and gender-specific associations between body composition and dyslipidemia from a medical anthropology perspective. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,652 individuals aged ≥ 45 years from four ethnic minorities (Maonan, Mulao, Miao, and Yao) in Guangxi, China. Body composition parameters were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Fasting blood lipids were assessed. Correlation and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, with adjustment for potential confounders. Ethnic interaction tests were conducted to explore ethnic heterogeneity in the associations. The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 59.3%. Serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C were positively correlated with weight, BMI, fat mass, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), while HDL-C was negatively correlated (all P 0.05). Significant gender differences were found. WHR was an independent risk factor for dyslipidemia in women (OR = 3.23, 95%CI: 1.48–7.07). In men, high trunk fat mass (OR = 6.51, 95%CI: 1.06–39.95) and lower limb fat mass (OR = 13.33, 95%CI: 2.08–85.43) were significant risk factors (note: small sample size in the highest quartile caused wide confidence intervals). Body fat composition, especially central and region-specific fat distribution, is strongly and differentially associated with dyslipidemia among middle-aged and elderly individuals from four ethnic minorities in Guangxi. WHR is a key risk indicator in women, while trunk and lower limb fat mass are critical in men. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the importance of gender-tailored strategies for early screening and prevention of dyslipidemia in this population.
Yu et al. (Thu,) studied this question.