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The association of markers of inflammation with weight change in older adults: the Cardiovascular Health Study

International Journal of Obesity volume 30, pages 1362–1367 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Elevated levels of inflammation factors often precede weight loss and may be causally related to it. Newer studies suggest that elevated levels of inflammation factors also precede weight gain. In this study, we examined whether inflammation factors are elevated in individuals, age ⩾65 years, who lost or gained >5% weight over a 3 year follow-up period compared to those with stable weight.

Subjects:

In total, 3254 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study whose weight was stable; 661 who gained >5% weight; and 842 who lost >5% weight.

Measurements:

C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, factor VIIIc, white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels.

Results:

As compared to participants whose weight was stable, those who lost >5% weight had higher baseline CRP concentration (1.05 (95% CI, 1.02, 1.08) per interquartile increase) and WBC count (1.10 (1.01, 1.19) per interquartile increase) on adjusted analyses. Those who gained >5% weight had higher baseline CRP (1.05 (1.01, 1.08)), fibrinogen (1.13 (1.01, 1.27)), and factor VIIIc (1.15 (1.03, 1.30)).

Conclusions:

Inflammation factors are associated with weight gain and weight loss in older individuals. These findings suggest that subclinical inflammation, or unknown factors associated with subclinical inflammation, contribute to weight change.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by contracts NO1-HC-85079 through NO1-HC-85086, NO1-HC-35129, and NO1-HC-15103 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kaiser Permanente of Georgia and the Division of Endocrinology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    J I Barzilay

  2. Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    C Forsberg

  3. Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    S R Heckbert

  4. Departments of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

    M Cushman

  5. Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    A B Newman

Authors
  1. J I Barzilay
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  2. C Forsberg
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  3. S R Heckbert
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  4. M Cushman
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  5. A B Newman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J I Barzilay.

Appendix

Appendix

Odds ratios for the association of inflammation factors with weight gain using logistic regression. Values are per interquartile higher values of baseline inflammation factors. Table A1

Table 5 Table a1
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Barzilay, J., Forsberg, C., Heckbert, S. et al. The association of markers of inflammation with weight change in older adults: the Cardiovascular Health Study. Int J Obes 30, 1362–1367 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803306

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