Association of aging-related anxiety with Atherogenic Index of Plasma in Turkish obese women: a cross-sectional study

Year 2026, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 282 - 288, 27.03.2026

Neslişah Gürel Köksal , Mustafa Köksal

https://izlik.org/JA68YM74WB

Abstract

Aims: We examined whether aging-related anxiety is associated with the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP; log10 [TG/HDL-C]) in obese Turkish women.
Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled obese adults aged 45–65 years attending family medicine and obesity clinics at a university hospital. Sociodemographic characteristics, body-mass index (BMI), and serum lipids (HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, total cholesterol) were recorded. AIP was calculated as log10(TG/HDL-C). Aging-related anxiety was assessed using a validated 16-item scale. Spearman correlations and univariate linear regression analyses were performed.
Results: A total of 130 patients were included (mean age 53.5±5.9 years; mean BMI 35.0±4.3 kg/m²). Mean AIP was 0.52±0.20. Aging-related anxiety scores correlated positively with AIP (r=0.368, p<0.001). Physical appearance anxiety (r=0.408, p<0.001), psychological concerns (r=0.339, p<0.001), and fear of loss (r=0.285, p=0.001) were also associated with AIP. These subscales explained approximately 8%–17% of AIP variance in regression, with physical appearance anxiety showing the strongest effect. The “fear of old people” subscale was not significant (p=0.090).
Conclusion: Aging-related anxiety - particularly appearance-related concerns - was associated with a more atherogenic lipid profile in obese midlife women; longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to test directionality and clinical impact.

Keywords

Obesity , anxiety , aging , dyslipidemias , cardiometabolic risk factors , women’s health

Ethical Statement

The protocol was approved by the Scientific Research Ethics Committee of GiresunTraining and Research Hospital (approval date: 25.06.2025; approval No.: 25.06.2025/13).

Supporting Institution

None

Thanks

None

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