Obesity, Nutritional Intake, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Nationwide Survey Data from Korea.

Purpose: Dietary intake of nutrients seems to play a role in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It may be worthwhile to identify certain nutrients that are highly related to AMD when consumed in small amounts. This study aims to evaluate the association between nutritional intake and risk of AMD.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study analyzed data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2010 and 2011, involving 6,471 participants aged 40 years or older. The presence and severity of AMD were graded using fundus photography. Multivariable regression analysis was employed to assess the association between dietary intake and AMD risk.

Results: The prevalence of AMD among 6,471 participants was 8.9% (576 cases), comprising 8.2% (531) with early AMD and 0.7% (45) with late AMD. Multivariable-adjusted analyses revealed that, among obese individuals (body mass index ≥25), men with AMD had significantly lower intakes of fiber, ash, calcium, potassium, thiamin, and vitamin C compared to those without AMD (all p < 0.05). In obese women, AMD showed a significant association with lower intakes of protein, vitamin A, and carotene (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions: An insufficient intake of certain nutrients was associated with an increased likelihood of AMD in obese individuals. Larger prospective cohort studies are needed to investigate the relationship between specific nutrients and the risk of AMD.