Evaluation of body composition and its relationship with cardiovascular risk factors in workers
Abstract
Introduction. Body composition is a critical indicator of overall health and the risk of developing chronic non-communicable diseases, particularly within the working population. Objetive: This study assessed body composition and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in a sample of 98 employees from a multinational corporation.
Methods. Cross-sectional observational study in which we have collected variables that include: BMI, visceral fat, skeletal muscle percentage, body fat percentage, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose levels, and health-related behaviors. Correlation analysis has been performed between these factors and the SCORE risk.
Results. Findings revealed a high prevalence of overweight (41.8%) and obesity (14.3%). The most notable correlations were age and SCORE risk (r = 0.646), BMI and visceral fat (r = 0.860), visceral fat and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.564), and skeletal muscle percentage and body fat percentage (r = -0.948), all with p < 0.000001. Other significant associations included BMI and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.49), and age and glucose levels (r = 0.36). Excess body fat—particularly visceral adiposity—has been strongly linked to increased risk of hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease (1,2). In occupational settings, these factors adversely affect not only employee health but also productivity, absenteeism, and organizational healthcare costs (3).
Conclusions. These findings highlight the vital role of occupational health nursing in health surveillance and the implementation of preventive strategies in the workplace. Periodic assessments of parameters such as BMI, visceral fat, and muscle mass can facilitate early risk detection and support the development of targeted interventions adapted to occupational contexts.
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