Relationship between body mass index and cardiometabolic health in a multi-ethnic population: A project baseline health study

Abstract

ObjectiveObesity is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Understanding the associations between comprehensive health parameters and body mass index (BMI) may lead to targeted prevention efforts. MethodsProject Baseline Health Study (PBHS) participants were divided into six BMI categories: underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2), class I obesity (30–34.9 kg/m2), class II obesity (35–39.9 kg/m2), and class III obesity (BMI ≥40 kg/m2). Demographic, cardiometabolic, mental health, and physical health parameters were compared across BMI categories, and multivariable logistic regression models were fit to evaluate associations. ResultsA total of 2,493 PBHS participants were evaluated. The mean age was 50±17.2 years; 55 % were female, 12 % Hispanic, 16 % Black, and 10 % Asian. The average BMI was 28.4 kg/m2±6.9. The distribution of BMI by age group was comparable to the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset. The obesity categories had higher proportions of participants with CAC scores >0, hypertension, diabetes, lower HDL-C, lower vitamin D, higher triglycerides, higher hsCRP, lower mean step counts, higher mean PHQ-9 scores, and higher mean GAD-7 scores. ConclusionWe identified associations of cardiometabolic and mental health characteristics with BMI, thereby providing a deeper understanding of cardiovascular health across BMI.