Abstract P496: The Development of Anthropometric Measures Over Time and Predictors for Overweight and Obesity
Background: Today, more people die because of obesity and it′s comorbidities than due to malnutrition and actions to prevent the development of overweight and obesity is urgently needed. Different measurements, such as body mass index and waist circumference (WC) may develop differently with age and play different roles in the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the development of anthropometric measures in men and women and to identify possible biochemical predictors for at least five percent weight increase over ten years, considering the modifying effect of physical activity. Methods: In the Vara Skövde Cohort, a longitudinal, prospective study, 1327 randomly selected individuals (35-75 years) participated in two examinations, 2002-2005 and 2012-2014. All participants (657 men, 670 women) were carefully examined with body weight and height, WC and fasting venous blood samples. Validated questionnaires about socioeconomic factors and lifestyle were completed. Physical activity was reported on a 4-graded scale and dichotomized into a high and low level of physical activity. Data are analyzed with T-Test and logistic regression and adjusted for age, sex, weight at baseline, smoking, education, physical activity, plasma glucose and triglycerides. Results: Mean age at baseline was 48.8 years. Mean body weight increased till the age of 55 years, 2.4 kg (SD 6.0, P ≤ 0.0001), and decreased significantly thereafter, -1.1 kg (SD 6.3, P= 0.001) without any difference between men and women. Contrary, WC increased continuously over the years in all age-groups, 4 cm (SD 7.4, P ≤ 0.001). Further, no normal weight person became obese at follow- up. Individuals who maintained or increased their level of physical activity to high had a significantly lower risk for weight increase as compared to those who remained or decreased their level of physical activity to a low level (OR 0.7, CI 0.7 - 0.9, P= 0.008). Serum concentration of LDL (low density lipoprotein) was inversely associated with 5% weight increase after ten years (OR 0.7, CI 0.6-0.7, P ≤ 0.001). We did not find that education level, psychological stress or sleep quality at baseline predicted body weight change. Conclusion: While body weight peaked at the age of 55 years, abdominal obesity increased continuously during the follow-up time. Maintained physical activity seems to limit this increase and emphasizes the importance of a high level of physical activity over the years. The risk of a low concentration of LDL for weight gain needs to be further examined.