Obesity-related changes in clinical parameters and conditions in a longitudinal population-based epidemiological study.

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine the association of body mass index (BMI) or obesity with various clinical parameters and conditions in a longitudinal population-based epidemiological study in Japan.

Methods: Study subjects comprised 6027 community-dwelling individuals who were recruited to the Inabe Health and Longevity Study, a longitudinal genetic epidemiological study of atherosclerotic, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥25kg/m2.

Results: Longitudinal analysis with the generalised linear mixed-effect model after adjustment for age showed that for men, BMI was significantly (P<0.0008) related to systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure and serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. For women, BMI was also significantly related to serum concentrations of triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol. Longitudinal analysis with the generalised estimating equation with adjustment for age showed that in men, BMI was significantly (P<0.0012) associated with the prevalence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia, decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate, and hyperuricemia. In women, BMI was also significantly associated with the prevalence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperuricemia.

Conclusion: Obesity has detrimental effects on various clinical parameters and conditions, resulting in increased risk of hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperuricemia, and chronic kidney disease.