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Weight gain over 1 year increases metabolic syndrome parameters in non-obese adults
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In Japanese adults without obesity, weight gain over 1 year was associated with increased abdominal circumference and triglyceride levels, both criteria for diagnosing metabolic syndrome, according to recent study findings.
“We found that measurement of weight gain (in kg) is useful, as such gains affected certain [metabolic syndrome] parameters even over 1 years,” Shiori Toga, of the graduate school of humanities and sciences at Ochanomizu University, and colleagues wrote. “This relationship should be more widely recognized, and weight should be checked continuously.”
Toga and colleagues analyzed data from 1,653 Japanese employees years in a financial corporation aged 24 to 63 years (mean age, 39 years; 698 men; mean BMI, 20.5 kg/m²) who completed standard health check-ups conducted by their health insurance company. Included adults may have gained weight over 1 year but remained without obesity (BMI of 25 kg/m² or less); those who lost weight over the same period were excluded. Researchers collected baseline data between April 2010 and March 2011; follow-up data were collected the following year. Researchers evaluated abdominal circumference, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol, all metabolic syndrome criteria in Japan.
Participants were stratified by weight gain into one of four groups: 0–0.99 kg (reference); 1–1.99 kg; 2–2.99 kg and at least 3 kg. Researchers used ANCOVA models to compare changes in metabolic syndrome parameters between weight gain groups.
Within the cohort, 696 (42.1%) gained less than 0.99 kg over 1 year; 514 (31.1%) gained between 1 and 1.99 kg; 251 (15.2%) gained between 2 and 2.99 kg; 192 (11.6%) gained more than 3 kg.
Researchers observed between-sex differences in all four weight-gain groups (P = .008). In men, there were between-group differences in abdominal circumference, blood pressure and triglyceride levels, with more weight gain associated with worse cardiometabolic profile. Abdominal circumference in men increased by a mean of 0.6 cm, 1.55 cm, 2.86 cm and 4.42 cm, respectively, across the four weight gain groups over 1 year. Men who gained at least 3 kg over 1 year also had higher diastolic BP and triglycerides vs. those in the reference group (3.36 mm Hg vs. 0.11 mm Hg; 27.3 mg/dL vs. 0.63 mg/dL, respectively).
Abdominal circumference gains over 1 year were similar in women across the weight-gain groups, with those gaining at least 3 kg seeing the greatest mean gains vs. the reference group (4.12 kg; 2.23 kg, 1.16 kg and 0.39 kg, respectively). Women gaining at least 3 kg also saw the greatest increase in triglyceride levels vs. the reference group (29.8 mg/dL vs. 5.01 mg/dL).
Neither fasting blood glucose or HDL cholesterol was affected by weight gain over 1 year in men or women, according to researchers.
“In Japan, [abdominal circumference] serves as a measure of visceral fat accumulation for purposes of the [metabolic syndrome] diagnosis,” the researchers wrote. “However, our work suggests that both weight and [abdominal circumference] are useful [metabolic syndrome] indices. Generally, it is easier to measure weight than [abdominal circumference], and a daily weight check is useful to gauge the risk for visceral fat accumulation.” – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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