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Clinical Research

Association between gastrointestinal phenotypes and weight gain in younger adults: a prospective 4-year cohort study

International Journal of Obesity volume 44, pages 2472–2478 (2020)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/objectives

Gastrointestinal phenotypes have previously been associated with obesity, however it is unknown if these phenotypes are a cause or a consequence of obesity and weight gain. Our aim was to assess whether these gastrointestinal phenotypes are associated with future weight gain in younger adults.

Subjects/methods

At baseline, 126 adult participants under the age of 35 were weighed and underwent measurement of gastrointestinal phenotypes including gastric emptying (GE), gastric volume, satiation, satiety, and gastrointestinal hormones. Patients were reappraised after median 4.4 years unless, during the period of follow-up, they participated in a formal weight loss program, received obesity-weight loss interventions, or developed a health condition likely to affect weight. Participants were dichotomized into two groups for each phenotype at the median of each phenotype.

Results

In total, 60 participants met criteria for inclusion and were evaluated after a median of 4.4 years [IQR: 3.5–5], 36 participants were excluded due to conditions that would abnormally affect weight during study period including pregnancy and weight loss treatment, and 30 participants were lost to prospective follow-up. Faster GE was significantly associated with weight gain. Those with faster GE at baseline (n = 30) gained a median of 9.6 kg [3.1–14.9] compared with those with slower GE at baseline (n = 30) who gained a median of 2.8 kg [−4.6 to 9.2] (p = 0.03), over the follow-up period. There was no association between the other phenotypes and weight gain.

Conclusions

In adults ≤35 years old, faster gastric emptying is associated with significantly increased weight gain over the medium term. This provides supportive evidence for the role of gastric emptying in weight gain and development of obesity.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2: Baseline gastric emptying is associated with weight gain in young adults.

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Funding

MC is supported by NIH RO1-DK67071. AA is supported by NIH (C-Sig P30DK84567, K23-DK114460) and ANMS Career Development Award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Enteric Neuroscience Translational and Epidemiological Research (C.E.N.T.E.R.), Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Gregory Pajot, Michael Camilleri, Gerardo Calderon, Judith Davis, Deborah Eckert, Duane Burton & Andres Acosta

  2. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Gregory Pajot, Michael Camilleri, Gerardo Calderon, Judith Davis, Deborah Eckert, Duane Burton & Andres Acosta

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  1. Gregory Pajot
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Contributions

AA conceived the idea of the study, GP and AA designed the study protocol. DE and DB assisted with baseline laboratory measurements. GC and JD mailed questionnaires to participants. GP and GC conducted review of electronic medical records and review of questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed by GP, AA, GC, and MC. The paper was drafted and revised by GP, AA, and MC. The final paper was approved by all authors.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andres Acosta.

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Conflict of interest

AA is a stockholder in Gila Therapeutics, Phenomix Sciences and Lipiquester; he serves as a consultant for Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, General Mills, Gila Therapeutics. MC is a stockholder in Phenomix Sciences and serves as a consultant to Takeda, Allergan, Rhythm, Salix, Arena, Enterin.

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Pajot, G., Camilleri, M., Calderon, G. et al. Association between gastrointestinal phenotypes and weight gain in younger adults: a prospective 4-year cohort study. Int J Obes 44, 2472–2478 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-020-0593-8

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