The objective of this study was to know the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI), percentage of body fat (BF) and the lipid profile (LP) in healthy adults. Using a cross-correlation design, healthy subjects between 20-45 years old were studied.  There were the values of BMI (by the Quetelet equation) BF (by electrical impedance) and serum LP. Descriptive statistics and the Spearman correlation test were used to present and analyze the result. We included 94 healthy subjects (31.0 ± 6.8 years old), of which 77 were women. BMI and BF correlated significantly (p < 0.01) in the total population (rs= 0.772), for the men and women (rs=0.943 and 0.871, respectively). For the men, it was observed positive correlation (p < 0.05) between BMI and total cholesterol (TC) (rs=0.510), triglycerides (TG) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (both rs=0.724). For women, there was only negative correlation betwen BF and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (rs = 0.316; p < 0.01). It is concluded that BF and BMI correlate directly and significant with serum lipids in the male population, specifically with CT, TG and VLDL, whereas in women, only a significant negative correlation was observed between BF and serum HDL lipids.    

Roberto Marenco is a nutritionist by the Faculty of Medicine and a specialist in education by the Faculty of Education of the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. He has published jobs in the field of the nutrition and physical exercise. He works nowadays in the private consultation and how teacher.