Obesity and quality of life: mediating effects of pain and comorbidities

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between body mass index (BMI) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) and examine whether joint pain and obesity-related comorbidities mediate the BMI-HRQL association. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Population-based survey data from the 1999 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. Adults (N = 155,989) were classified according to BMI as underweight (<18.5 kg/m(2)), desirable weight (18.5 to 24.9 kg/m(2)), overweight (25 to 29.9 kg/m(2)), obese class I (30 to 34.9 kg/m(2)), obese class II (35 to 39.9 kg/m(2)), and obese class III (>/=40 kg/m(2)). Data including general health status, unhealthy days in the past 30 caused by physical problems and mental problems, and total unhealthy days in the past 30 were collected. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, sex, race, smoking, education, and income, we observed J-shaped associations between BMI and HRQL. Compared with desirable weight adults, underweight, overweight, and obesity classes I, II, and III adults [odds ratio (OR) = 1.57, 1.19, 1.95, 2.72, and 4.36, respectively] were significantly (p < 0.001) more likely to report fair/poor general health status. For unhealthy days caused by physical problems, the corresponding ORs were 1.51, 1.15, 1.66, 2.27, and 3.61 (p < 0.001). For unhealthy days caused by mental problems, the ORs were 1.35, 1.14 1.43, 1.57, and 2.25 (p < 0.001). For total unhealthy days, the corresponding ORs were 1.27, 1.09, 1.37, 1.73, and 2.46 (p < 0.01). Adding joint pain and obesity-related comorbidities into models attenuated BMI-HRQL associations. DISCUSSION: Associations between BMI and HRQL indices were J-shaped. Joint pain and comorbidities may mediate BMI-HRQL associations.     

Disability, arthritis, and body weight among adults 45 years and older

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between body weight and disability among persons with and without self-reported arthritis. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Data were analyzed for noninstitutionalized adults, 45 years or older, in states that participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Self-reported BMI (kilograms per meter squared) was used to categorize participants into six BMI-defined groups: underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5 to < 25), overweight (25 to < 30), obese, class 1 (30 to < 35), obese, class 2 (35 to < 40), and obese, class 3 (> or = 40). RESULTS: Class 3 obesity (BMI > or = 40) was significantly associated with disability among participants both with and without self-reported arthritis. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for disability in participants with class 3 obesity was 2.75 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.22 to 3.40] among those with self-reported arthritis and 1.77 (95% CI = 1.20 to 2.62) among those without self-reported arthritis compared with those of normal weight (BMI 18.5 to < 25). Persons with self-reported arthritis who were obese, class 2 (BMI 35 to < 40) and obese, class 1 (BMI 30 to <35) and women with self-reported arthritis who were overweight (BMI 25 to < 30) also had higher odds of disability compared with those of normal weight [AOR = 1.72 (95% CI = 1.47 to 2.00), AOR = 1.30 (95% CI = 1.17 to 1.44), and AOR = 1.18 (95% CI = 1.06 to 1.32), respectively]. DISCUSSION: Our findings reveal that obesity is associated with disability. Preventing and controlling obesity may improve the quality of life for persons with and without self-reported arthritis.     

Underweight and overweight in relation to mortality among men aged 40-59 and 50-69 years: the Seven Countries Study

This study investigated the relation between body mass index (BMI) and the all-cause mortality rate among 7,985 European men. Starting around 1960, when all men were aged 40-59 years, mortality was followed for 15 years (1960-1975); starting around 1970, the survivors were followed for an additional 15 years (1970-1985). For the first and second follow-up periods, a BMI of 18.5-25 kg/m2 around 1960 and 1970, respectively, was considered the reference category. The authors found that the hazard ratios of mortality for a BMI of <18.5 kg/m2 was 2.1 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5, 2.8) for the first follow-up period and 1.7 (95% CI: 1.3, 2.2) for the second. A BMI of 25-30 kg/m2 was not related to increased mortality. Among never smokers, the hazard ratios for a BMI of >30 kg/m2 were 1.8 (95% CI: 1.2, 2.8) for the 1960-1975 follow-up period and 1.4 (95% CI: 1.0, 1.9) for the 1970-1985 follow-up period. A BMI of >30 kg/m2 was not related to increased mortality among current smokers. When mortality was followed for more than 15 years, the hazard ratio for a BMI of <18.5 kg/m2 declined and the hazard ratios for a BMI of >30 kg/m2 did not change. Underweight among those in all smoking categories and severe overweight in never smokers remained predictors of increased mortality when middle-aged men became older.     

孕前人体质量指数与妊娠高血压综合征的关系

目的 了解孕前人体质量指数(body mass index,BMI)与妊娠高血压综合征(pregnancy-induced hypertension,PIH)发生危险性之间的关系.方法 数据来自"中美预防出生缺陷和残疾合作项目"中嘉兴地区的围产保健监测数据库.研究对象为1995-2000年在嘉兴地区参加婚前或孕前体检且分娩了单胎活产儿的孕满20周的83 159名孕产妇.运用X2检验或X<,趋势>2检验比较不同BMI组或其他特征人群PIH发病率的差别,利用多元logistic回归分析孕前BMI与PIH发生危险性之间的关系.结果 PIH发病率为11.01%(9153/83 159;95%CI:10.79%～11.22%).PIH的发病率自BMI<18.5 kg/m2组的9.08%(1405/15 472;95%CI:8.63%～9.54%),18.5～22.9 kg/m2组的10.82%(6389/59 054;95%CI:10.57%～11.07%),23.0～24.9 kg/m2组的14.63%(943/6444;95%CI:13.78%～15.52%)升至BMI≥25/0 kg/m2组的19.00%(416/2189;95%CI:17.38%～20.71%),差异有统计学意义(X<,趋势>2=261.028,P=0.000).以BMI为18.5～22.9 kg/m2者为参照组,BMI<18.5 kg/m2、23.0～24.9 kg/m2和≥25.0 kg/m2组发生PIH的RR值分别为0.82(95%CI:0.77～0.87)、1.41(95%CI:1.31～1.52)和1.93(95%CI:1.73～2.16).调整地区、年龄、文化程度、职业、产次、产前检查次数和既往高血压病史或家族史后,上述RR值分别为0.85(95%CI:0.80～0.90)、1.37(95%CI:1.27～1.47)和1.88(95%CI:1.68～2.10).结论 PIH的发生危险随孕前BMI的升高而升高.     

2型糖尿病患者体重指数与死亡风险的前瞻性研究

  目的  探讨体重指数（body mass index,BMI）与2型糖尿病患者全死因死亡风险的关联。  方法  研究对象为江苏省苏南、苏北地区纳入国家基本公共卫生服务管理的17 638名2型糖尿病患者,应用Cox比例风险回归模型计算基线时不同BMI组人群在随访期间的全死因死亡风险（hazard ratio,HR）值及95%置信区间（confidence interval,CI）。  结果  研究对象累计随访77 451人年,平均随访4.39年,随访期间共死亡1 274人,低体重组BMI < 18.5 kg/m2、正常体重组（18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 24.0 kg/m2）、超重组（24.0 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 28.0 kg/m2）、肥胖组（BMI ≥ 28.0 kg/m2）死亡人数分别为39人、575人、484人和176人,相应的死亡率分别为15.6%、9.5%、6.2%、5.1%。调整混杂因素后,以正常体重组为参照,低体重组、超重组、肥胖组死亡风险的HR值（95%CI）分别为1.66（95%CI:1.20~2.30）,0.68（95%CI:0.61~0.77）,0.58（95%CI:0.48~0.68）。  结论  在2型糖尿病患者中,与正常体重人群相比,低体重人群的全死因死亡风险最高,超重和肥胖人群的死亡风险较低,超重和肥胖可以降低2型糖尿病患者死亡风险。     

孕前体重指数、孕期体重增加与新生儿窒息的关系

目的 了解孕前体重指数(BMI)、孕期体重增加与新生儿窒息发生危险的关系.方法 数据来自"中美预防出生缺陷和残疾合作项目"中嘉兴地区的围产保健监测数据库.研究对象为1995-2000年在嘉兴地区参加婚前/孕前体检且分娩单胎活产儿孕满20周的83 030名孕产妇.运用χ2检验或趋势χ2检验比较不同BMI组或其他特征人群新生儿窒息发病率的差别,利用多元logistic回归分析孕前BMI、孕期体重增加与新生儿窒息发生危险之间的关系.结果 新生儿窒息发病率为11.3%(95% CI:11.1%～11.6%).新生儿窒息发病率从BMI＜18.5 kg/m2组的11.0%(95% CI:10.5%～11.5%)逐渐升至BMI≥25.0 kg/m2组的12.9%(95% CI:11.6%～14.4%),自孕期体重增加＜0.3 kg/wk的12.4%(95% CI:11.9%～13.0%)逐渐降至≥0.5 kg/wk的10.6%(95% CI:10.1%～11.0%).孕前BMI≥25.0 kg/m2组的新生儿重度窒息发生率高于BMI更低组.在调整了地区、年龄、文化程度、职业、产次、产前检查次数、孕期高危因素、产时高危因素、孕周和出生体重后,以BMI＜18.5 kg/m2组为参照组,BMI为18.5～22.9 kg/m2、23.0～24.9 kg/m2和≥25.0 kg/m2组发生新生儿窒息的OR值分别为1.03(95% CI:0.97～1.09)、1.06(95% CI:0.96～1.16)和1.14(95% CI:1.00～1.31).进一步调整孕期增重后,上述OR值分别为1.02(95% CI:0.95～1.09)、1.01(95% CI:0.90～1.13)和1.08(95% CI:0.92～1.28).以孕期体重增加≥0.5 kg/wk组作为参照,孕期体重增加为0.3～kg/wk和＜0.3 kg/wk组发生新生儿窒息的OR值分别为1.06(95% CI:1.01～1.12)和1.09(95% CI:1.02～1.20).结论 孕期体重增加＜0.5 kg/wk加大新生儿窒息发生的危险,提示临床上宜对妇女孕前的BMI进行监测,并据此进行孕前指导和孕期管理,以保持合理的孕期体重,降低新生儿窒息的发生危险.     

Weight, height, and body mass index and risk for ovarian cancer in a cohort study

PURPOSE: Reported associations between ovarian cancer and body size are inconsistent. We assessed ovarian cancer and anthropometry in the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project Follow-Up Study. METHODS: The 46,026 participants completed a baseline interview and mailed questionnaires between 1979 and 1998. By using multiple sources, we identified 346 incident ovarian cancers during follow-up. We calculated rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate relative risks for developing ovarian cancer associated with height and weight (measured 1973 to 1980) and self-reported current and usual adult weight (collected during follow-up). RESULTS: Neither taller height (> or =66 versus <62 inches; RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.64-1.26) nor greater weight (> or =161 versus < or =120 lbs; RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.77-1.55) was associated with ovarian cancer. Compared with normal weight (body mass index [BMI], 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m(2)), overweight (BMI, 25 to 29.9 kg/m(2); RR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.78-1.29) and obesity (BMI, 30 to 34.9 kg/m(2); RR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.59-1.48) were not associated with ovarian cancer. Severe obesity (BMI > or = 35 kg/m(2)) produced a nonsignificantly elevated RR (1.55; 95% CI, 0.84-2.84). Associations with histologic types and statistical interactions with menopausal status and hormone therapy use were null. CONCLUSIONS: Based on height and weight measured before baseline, overweight and obesity were not significantly associated with ovarian cancer in this cohort.     

Association of body mass index and weight change with all-cause mortality in the elderly

The authors explored the relation of body mass index (BMI; weight (kg)/height (m)(2)) and weight change to all-cause mortality in the elderly, using data from a large, population-based California cohort study, the Leisure World Cohort Study. They estimated relative risks of mortality associated with self-reported BMI at study entry, BMI at age 21 years, and weight change between age 21 and study entry. Participants were categorized as underweight (BMI <18.5), normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), overweight (BMI 25-29.9), or obese (BMI >or=30). Of 13,451 participants aged 73 years (on average) at study entry (1981-1985), 11,203 died during 23 years of follow-up (1981-2004). Relative to normal weight, being underweight (relative risk (RR) = 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.38, 1.65) or obese (RR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.38) at study entry was associated with increased mortality. People who were either overweight or obese at age 21 also had increased mortality (RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.25). Participants who lost weight between age 21 and study entry had increased mortality regardless of their BMI category at age 21. Obesity was significantly associated with increased mortality only among persons under age 75 years and among never or past smokers. This study highlights the influence on older-age mortality risk of being overweight or obese in young adulthood and underweight or obese in later life.     

Body mass index and risk of head and neck cancer by race: the Carolina Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Study

PurposeMost studies, primarily conducted in populations of European ancestry, reported increased risk of head and neck cancer (HNC) associated with leanness (body mass index [BMI] <18.5 kg/m²) and decreased for overweight or obesity (25.0 to <30.0 and >30 kg/m², respectively), compared with normal weight (18.5 to <25.0 kg/m²).MethodsThe Carolina Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Study is a population-based, racially diverse case-control study of 1289 incident HNC cases (330 African Americans) and 1361 controls (261 African Americans). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for associations between BMI 1 year prediagnosis and HNC risk stratified by race and adjusted for age, sex, smoking, alcohol, and education.ResultsMultiplicative interaction between BMI and race was evident (P_int = .00007). Compared with normal weight, ORs for leanness were increased for African Americans (OR, 3.91; 95% CI, 0.72–21.17) and whites (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 0.60–3.65). For overweight and obesity, ORs were decreased in African Americans (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.32–0.83 and OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.28–0.79, respectively) but in not whites. The increased risk associated with leanness was greater for smokers than nonsmokers (P_int = .02).ConclusionsThese data, which require replication, suggest that leanness is associated with increased HNC risk among African Americans to a greater extent than whites and overweight and obesity is associated with decreased HNC risk only among African Americans.     

The nutritional status of 1081 elderly people residing in publicly funded shelter homes in Peninsular Malaysia

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the: (1) prevalence of undernutrition as determined by the 'DETERMINE Your Nutritional Health Checklist' (NHC) and (2) factors independently associated with undernutrition among the older residents of these publicly funded shelter homes in Peninsular Malaysia. DESIGN: A total of 1081 elderly people (59%M) over the age of 60 y were surveyed using questionnaires determining baseline demographics, nutritional and cognitive status, physical function and psychological well-being. SETTING: Shelter homes, Peninsular Malaysia. RESULTS: In all, 41.4% (n = 447) were nourished (score <3), 32.1% (n = 347) at moderate risk (score between 3 and 5) and 26.6% (n = 287) were at high risk of undernutrition (score>5) according to the NHC. A large proportion of subjects were underweight with 14.3% of subjects recording a low body mass index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m2 and a further 18.2% recording a BMI between 18.5 and 20 kg/m2. The residential geriatric depression score (GDS-12R) (relative risk (RR) = 1.03 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.05); P = 0.002) and the number of illnesses (RR = 1.14 (95% CI 1.07-1.21); P < 0.001) were found to be independently associated with nutritional risk (NHC score > or = 3). Using a BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 as an objective marker for nutritional risk, the NHC was shown to have a sensitivity of 66.4% (95% CI 58.0-74.2%), specificity of 42.7% (95% CI 39.3-46.1%), positive predictive value of 16.2% (95% CI 13.3-19.5%) and a negative predictive value of 88.4% (95% CI 84.9-91.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Many elderly people residing in publicly funded shelter homes in Malaysia may be at-risk of undernutrition, and were underweight. The NHC is better used as an awareness tool rather than as a screening tool.     

中国9省市中老年人群体重指数与健康相关生命质量的关系

目的 研究中国中老年人BMI与健康相关生命质量(HRQOL)的关系.方法 汇集9省市(汀苏、安徽、甘肃、青海、福建、北京、吉林、江西、河南)横断面健康状况调查中老年人群数据共9539例.采用秩和检验比较BMI分类不同的中老年人生命质量的差异;用多元logistic回归模型检验排除性别、年龄、婚姻状况、学历、运动水平和慢性病史等混杂因素后,中老年人BMI分类与生命质最的相关性.结果 与体重正常的中老年人相比,体重过轻组SF-36的生理领域(P<0.001)、心理领域(P<0.01)及其8个维度(生理机能、精神健康,P<0.05;生理职能、躯体疼痛、健康状况、精力、社会功能、情感职能,P<0.01)生命质量均显著较差;超重组心理领域生命质量显著较好(P<0.05);肥胖组生理机能维度显著较差(P<0.01),心理领域(P<0.05)、精神健康维度(P<0.01)显著较好.排除已知的混杂因素后,体重过轻组在生理领域(OR=1.67,95%CI:1.35～2.06)、心理领域(OR=1.39,95%CI:1.13～1.70)以及所有8个维度生命质量减损的危险度显著增高;超重组心理领域(OR=0.86,95%CI:0.78～0.95)及其生理职能、精力、社会功能、情感职能、精神健康维度生命质最受损的危险度显著降低;肥胖组生理机能维度(OR=1.51,95%CI:1.27～1.80)受损的危险度显著增高,心理领域(OR=0.71,95%CI:0.60～0.85)及其精力、情感职能、精神健康维度生命质量受损的危险度显著降低.结论 BMI分类不同的中老年人其SF-36各领域生命质量不同,体重过轻组生理领域和心理领域生命质量均较差,超重和肥胖组心理领域生命质最较好,肥胖组生理领域生命质量较差.超重和肥胖的中老年人生命质量的减损与慢性疾病有关.     

Relationship between obesity and health-related quality of life in men

OBJECTIVE: Few studies examining the relationship between obesity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have used a medical outpatient population or demonstrated a relationship in men. Furthermore, most studies have not adequately considered comorbid illness. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and HRQOL in male outpatients while considering comorbid illness. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: This cross-sectional study examined 1168 male outpatients from Durham Veterans' Affairs Medical Center. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the relationship of BMI with each subscale from the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 while adjusting for age, race, comorbid illness, depression, and physical activity. RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 54.7 +/- 5.6 years; 69% were white and 29% were African American. The distribution for BMI was as follows: 18.5 to <25 kg/m(2) (21%), 25 to <30 kg/m(2) (43%), 30 to <35 kg/m(2) (25%), 35 to <40 kg/m(2) (8%), and > or =40 kg/m(2) (3%). Mean Short Form 36 subscale scores were lower than U.S. norms by an average of 27%. Individuals with BMI > or =40 kg/m(2) had significantly lower scores compared with normal weight individuals on the Role-Physical and Vitality subscales. On the Physical Functioning and Physical Component subscales, lower scores were observed at BMI > or =35 kg/m(2). On the Bodily Pain subscale, lower scores were observed at BMI > or =25 kg/m(2). DISCUSSION: An inverse relationship between BMI and physical aspects of HRQOL exists in a population of male outpatients. Increased BMI was most prominently associated with bodily pain; this relationship should receive more attention in clinical care and research.     

The relationship between body mass index and unintended pregnancy: results from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted to characterize the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and unintended pregnancy, contraceptive use patterns, and perceived fertility. METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional, nationally representative database (2002 National Survey of Family Growth). Unintended pregnancy was compared among BMI groups [normal (<25 m/kg(2)), overweight (25-30 m/kg(2)) and obese (>30 m/kg(2))]. Analyses also evaluated the association between demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral and health-related variables and BMI. Multiple logistic regression with adjustment for sampling design was used to measure associations of interest. RESULTS: BMI data were available from 6690 nonpregnant women. Of these, 3600 (53.6%) were normal weight, 1643 (25%) were overweight and 1447 (21.4%) were obese. Compared to women with normal BMIs, the risk of unintended pregnancy in the last 5 years did not differ among overweight [adjusted OR 0.95 (95% CI 0.77-1.17)] or obese [adjusted OR 0.87 (95% CI 0.70-1.09)] women. There were no differences in contraceptive use patterns or perceived fertility among BMI groups. CONCLUSION: Data from the 2002 NSFG do not support an association between obesity and unintended pregnancy.     

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult Malaysians: an update

A total of 4428 adults (>18 years old) from 5 different selected regions in Peninsular and East Malaysia participated in this health survey. Using World Health Organization recommendations for body mass index (BMI), the prevalence of overweight and obesity were found to be 33.6% (95% CI= 32.2, 35.0) and 19.5% (95% CI= 18.3, 20.7) respectively. There were more females who were obese (22.5%, 95% CI=20.9, 24.0) compared to males (14.1%, 95% CI=12.3, 15.9). Highest prevalence of obesity were among the Indians (24.6%, 95% CI=20.3, 29.3), followed closely by the Malays (23.2%, 95% CI=21.6, 24.8%) and lowest prevalence was among the Chinese subjects (8.2%, 95% CI=6.2, 10.6). More than 43% of the 531 younger subjects (<30 years old) were either overweight (20%, 95% CI=16.6, 23.6) or obese (13.9%, 95% CI=11.1, 17.2%). All subjects who claimed to be non-diabetes were required to undergo 75 g glucose tolerance test. Compared to subjects with normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), there was a 3- and 2-folds increase in the prevalence of newly diagnosed diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance respectively, among obese subjects (BMI>30 kg/m2) who initially claimed to have no diabetes. This study highlights a need for more active, inter-sectoral participation advocating a health-promoting environment in order to combat obesity in this country.     

The Impact of Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference on Health-related Quality of Life Among Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Results from the PROFILES Registry

Background: We aimed to assess the association of waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) with health-related quality of life (HRQL) among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. Methods: CRC survivors diagnosed between 2000 and 2009 completed questionnaires in August 2013 (with self-reported weight, height, and self-assessed WC) and January 2014 (with HRQL using the EORTC-QLQ-C30). Clinical characteristics were retrieved from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. In multivariable linear regression analyses associations of BMI only, WC only and both BMI and WC with HRQL outcomes were assessed. Results: 1,111 CRC survivors were included of whom 34% had a normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m²), 49% had overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m²), 17% had obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), and 44% had an increased WC (i.e., >102 and >88 cm for men and women, respectively). Both BMI and WC were separately associated with worse global health status, functioning, and more symptoms of fatigue. Increased WC was associated with lower physical, role and emotional functioning, regardless of BMI, with average differences ranging between 3 and 5 points. Conclusion: Future research on HRQL among CRC survivors should consider both BMI and WC. Furthermore, weight reduction trials should not only focus on general weight loss but also on the loss of abdominal fat.     

Body mass index and mortality in South Korean men resulting from cardiovascular disease: a Kangwha cohort study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of body mass index (BMI) with death caused by total cardiovascular disease in a long-term follow-up study. METHODS: We followed a total of 2608 men who were 55 years or older in 1985 from March 1985 through December 2001 to investigate their mortality. The hazard ratios of mortality as the result of cardiovascular disease by BMI level were estimated with the Cox proportional hazards model, adjusting for relevant covariates. RESULTS: For the group with a BMI >/= 27 kg/m(2) compared with the reference group (BMI, 21.0-22.9), the adjusted hazard ratio of death resulting from total cardiovascular disease was 2.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-3.9) and that of death resulting from cerebrovascular disease was 3.6 (95% CI, 2.0-6.3). Observing nonsmoking subjects only, the BMI <18.5 kg/m(2) group had a 4.6 times (95% CI, 1.8-11.8) greater risk of death attributed to total cardiovascular disease than the reference group and a 4.7 times (95% CI, 1.4-16.2) greater risk of death from cerebrovascular disease. CONCLUSION: This study defined that BMI is related to Korean male deaths caused by total cardiovascular disease. The risk of death attributed to total cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease was significantly increased in the group, with a BMI >/=27 kg/m(2). In our study, in the case of nonsmokers, low BMI was shown to be related to deaths from cardiovascular disease. Such result is different from those of previous studies.     

Initial BMI and Weight Loss over Time Predict Mortality in Parkinson Disease

ObjectivesAlthough weight loss is a frequent symptom in Parkinson disease (PD), there have been few studies on the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between BMI and change in BMI at diagnosis in patients with PD and all-cause mortality.DesignCohort study using Korean National Health Insurance Service–Elderly Cohort data.Setting and ParticipantsPatients with new-onset PD were selected using the International Classification of Diseases 10th edition code (G20). Then, patients who were diagnosed more than 3 times with PD and had been prescribed anti-parkinsonian medication for ≥30 days were included. Those with a combined diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism and secondary parkinsonism were excluded.MethodsThe primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Anthropometric data, including height and weight, were obtained from the health screening data to calculate BMI. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess mortality risk by BMI.ResultsAmong the 2703 patients with PD, 492 (18.20%) died during the 11-year follow-up period. There was a significant inverse dose-response relationship between baseline BMI and mortality [<18.5 kg/m²: hazard ratio (HR), 1.872, 95% CI, 1.338–2.494; 23–25 kg/m²: HR, 0.695, 95% CI, 0.546–0.886; 25–30 kg/m²: HR, 0.644, 95% CI, 0.476–0.869; ≥30 kg/m²: HR, 0.396, 95% CI, 0.165–0.950]. Change in BMI of 10% revealed a significant association with mortality. Subgroup analyses by sex showed a significant inverse dose-response relationship between BMI and all-cause mortality only in women.Conclusions and ImplicationsWe demonstrated an inverse dose-response association between BMI at diagnosis and mortality in patients with PD, especially in women. Early detection of PD before weight loss progression and proper management might improve mortality. The small number of obese PD participants in our study should be considered when interpreting and generalizing results.     

Receiver operating characteristic analysis of body mass index to detect increased risk of functional morbidity in Vietnamese rural adults

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of low BMI, and define optimal BMI cut-off values in order to detect fever-associated adult morbidity. DESIGN: A cohort study of adults between 18 and 60 y in rural Vietnam, whose BMI and health status were assessed at baseline, and who were then monitored for illness events for 4 months. Nonparametric receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the performance of low BMI to detect the average number of restricted-days due to illness and to determine optimal cut-off values. SETTING: A rural commune in the Red River Delta, northern Vietnam. SUBJECTS: The study included 693 men and 739 women aged 18-60-y. RESULTS: At baseline, 21% of the study participants had a BMI<18.5 kg/m(2). As BMI progressively decreased, the percentage of participants experiencing morbidity with fever increased. The areas under the ROC curves for BMI were significantly greater than 0.5 for all levels of monthly average restricted-days of illness (MARDI) with fever, with best performance for >5 days/month. Excluding participants with acute or chronic disease at baseline improved the performance of BMI to detect MARDI with fever of >5 days (area under ROC curve 0.95; 95% CI 0.92, 0.99). With increasing levels of MARDI with fever, BMI cut-offs fell to 17.9 kg/m(2) when MARDI with fever was >5 days. CONCLUSIONS: The ROC analysis demonstrates that low BMI performs well as a risk indicator of MARDI with fever of >5 days with an optimal BMI cut-off value of 17.9 kg/m(2).     

The association of diabetes and BMI among Melanesian and Indian Fijians aged ≥ 40 years

The present study examines the association of diabetes with BMI (kg/m(2)) in Asian-Indian and Melanesian Fijian populations sharing a common environment. A population-based survey was used to investigate the risk of diabetes (defined by glycosylated Hb concentration ≥ 6·5 % among participants who denied previous diagnosis of the disease by a medical practitioner) by sex, ethnicity and strata of BMI in a series of age-adjusted logistic regression models. Ethnicity and BMI interactions were compared using WHO and empirically derived BMI cut-off points. Indians had a greater risk (BMI and age adjusted) of undetected diabetes than Melanesians in both males (OR 2·99, 95 % CI 1·73, 5·17; P < 0·001) and females (OR 2·26, 95 % CI 1·56, 3·28; P < 0·001). BMI ≥ 25 to < 30 and ≥ 30 kg/m(2) conferred a higher risk of diabetes compared with a BMI ≥ 18·5 to < 25 kg/m(2). Risk was higher for males with a BMI ≥ 25 to < 30 kg/m(2) (OR 2·35, 95 % CI 1·24, 4·46; P = 0·007) and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) (OR 6·08, 95 % CI 3·06, 12·07; P < 0·001) than for females with the same BMI (OR 1·85, 95 % CI 1·11, 3·08; P = 0·027 and OR 2·10, 95 % CI 1·28, 3·44; P = 0·002, respectively). However, the threshold that appeared to differentiate higher risk varied by ethnicity and sex. For Melanesians, BMI thresholds suggested were 25 kg/m(2) for males and 32 kg/m(2) for females. For Indo-Fijians, these were 24 and 22 kg/m(2) for males and females, respectively. Disaggregating by ethnicity and sex, and applying specific evidence-based thresholds, may render BMI a more discriminating tool for assessing the risk of developing diabetes among Fiji adults.     

Weight history and risk of endometrial cancer among Chinese women

BACKGROUND: Adult obesity is a well-established risk factor for endometrial cancer. However, little is known about the association of endometrial cancer risk with body size early in life and weight change during adulthood. We investigated whether women with greater early-age body size or with greater weight change during adulthood have an increased risk of endometrial cancer. METHODS: We analysed data from a population-based case-control study of endometrial cancer conducted between 1997 and 2001 in Shanghai, China. Included in this analysis were 832 endometrial cancer cases aged 30-69 years and 846 population controls. Information on weight and height history from adolescence through adulthood was obtained via structured in-person interviews. A logistic regression model was used to derive odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for endometrial cancer in association with adolescent and adult adiposity, as well as adult body weight change. All ORs were adjusted for age, education, menstrual status, duration of menstruation, number of pregnancies, oral contraceptive use, and family history of cancer. RESULTS: Perceived weights and heights during puberty that were greater than average were associated with a modestly increased risk of cancer. The association for perceived weight was substantially weakened after adjustment for current body mass index (BMI). High BMI at all adult ages significantly predicted endometrial cancer risk, with recent BMI being the strongest predictor. Further analyses disclosed that weight gain during adulthood, particularly during the peri-menopausal period (age 40-50 years), was associated with a significantly elevated risk of endometrial cancer, even among currently non-obese women. Gaining >5 kg between age 40 and 50 was related to ORs of 2.3 (95% CI 1.4-3.9) for women with a BMI<25 kg/m2 and 2.0 (95% CI 1.3-3.0) for women with BMI>or=25 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS: Adult weight gain, particularly during the peri-menopausal period, plays a significant role in the development of endometrial cancer risk.