Higher body mass index linked to cardiovascular disease
In an observational study of 4,942 US adults followed for a median 36.8 years, accounting for measured risk factors removed body mass index’s link to cardiovascular disease.
Limit: The BMI association disappeared after adjustment for risk factors including physical activity and blood pressure
Edited by Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
An observational study followed 4,942 US adults aged 18–30 at entry; 55% were women and 51% were Black. The CARDIA study repeatedly measured body mass index, a measure of weight relative to height, alongside physical activity and other risk factors. During a median 36.8 years of follow-up, 427 cardiovascular events occurred.
Higher body mass index was associated with higher cardiovascular risk, with a steeper rise at lower values. Accounting for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity nearly removed the association at lower body mass index values. At higher values, accounting for blood pressure and fasting blood sugar weakened it most. Accounting for all measured factors removed the association across the body mass index range.
Why it matters
Tracking body size and related risk factors across adulthood may help clarify how cardiovascular risk develops from young adulthood into late midlife.
Caveats
Statistical adjustment in this observational study could not establish which factors caused cardiovascular disease. The analysis included only participants with at least three study visits and was reported as a conference abstract.
