Abstract
BackgroundExamining body mass index (BMI) change over life course is crucial for cardiovascular health promotion and prevention. So far, there is very few evidence on the long-term change of BMI from childhood to late life. This study aimed to examine the life-course trajectory patterns of BMI and then to link the trajectory patterns to cardiovascular risk factors in adulthood.MethodsBased on longitudinal data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, 5276 participants (aged 6–60) at baseline (in 1989) with up to 7 measurements of BMI during 1989–2009 were selected in this study. Cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure, high blood glucose and high blood lipids were assessed in 2411 participants in 2009. Latent growth curve modelling was used to analyse the BMI trajectories, and logistic regression was used to examine the associations between trajectory patterns and cardiovascular risk factors.ResultsFour trajectories patterns of BMI over life course (age 6–80) were identified: Normal-Stable (22.4% of the total participants), Low normal-Normal-Stable (44.1%), Low normal-Normal-Overweight (27.2%), and Overweight-Obese (4.3%). Compared to those with Normal-Stable pattern, those with Low normal-Normal-Stable pattern, Low normal-Normal-Overweight pattern and Overweight-Obese pattern had higher risk of high blood pressure (odds ratio range = 1.6–6.6), high blood glucose (1.7–9.1), dyslipidemia (2.6–5.9) and having at least two of the three cardiovascular risk factors (3.9–30.9).ConclusionsHaving a stable BMI within normal range over life course is associated with the lowest cardiovascular risk, whereas remaining overweight and obese over life course is associated with the highest cardiovascular risk.
Highlights
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death [1,2]
Additional funding has come from National Institutes of Health (NIH) (HD39183), the Carolina Population Center (CPC), the Ford Foundation, the National Science Foundation (INT9215399), the National Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety, and the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Having a stable body mass index (BMI) within normal range over life course is associated with the lowest cardiovascular risk, whereas remaining overweight and obese over life course is associated with the highest cardiovascular risk
Summary
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death [1,2]. CVDs are the leading cause of disability in the world accounting for almost 12% of global disabilityadjusted life years [3]. In China, CVDs are a big burden by accounting for more than 40% of the all-cause mortality, and two in five adults in China are suffering from CVDs [6]. Examining body mass index (BMI) change over life course is crucial for cardiovascular health promotion and prevention. There is very few evidence on the long-term change of BMI from childhood to late life. This study aimed to examine the life-course trajectory patterns of BMI and to link the trajectory patterns to cardiovascular risk factors in adulthood
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