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Weight fluctuations and risk for metabolic syndrome in an adult cohort

International Journal of Obesity volume 32, pages 315–321 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Weight gain is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MS). However, it is not known whether weight fluctuations (WF) have a deleterious effect upon MS risk. In the present study, we investigated this association in subjects participating in the SU.VI.MAX cohort.

Methods:

MS status was assessed at baseline (1994/1995) and at the end of follow-up (2001/2002) using the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. WF were estimated with four weight measures during follow-up. Odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence interval (CI)) for incident MS cases was evaluated according to four WF groups (no WF and tertiles of WF) in 3553 middle-aged subjects.

Results:

The OR (95% CI) for MS was 2.06 (1.20–3.52) for the third WF tertile compared to the first tertile. This association was independent of confounding variables, especially relative weight change during follow-up. Subjects without WF had a 2.72-fold increase (1.64–4.53) for MS risk compared to the first tertile of WF. For MS components taken separately, similar associations were found for raised blood pressure, low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and increased waist circumference.

Conclusion:

Our results showed that WF was an independent risk factor for MS after 7 years of follow-up. Moreover, subjects without WF were also at risk for MS, due to the highest weight gain during follow-up. These results support the benefits of weight stability and emphasize the importance of weight gain prevention starting from early adulthood.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Pr Avner Bar-Hen for his help with statistical analyses and Stacie Chat-Yung for her help with English translation. The SU.VI.MAX project received support from public and private sectors. This project was supported by a research grant from the French ‘Fondation Coeur et Artères’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutritional Epidemiology Unit, UMR U557 INSERM, U1125 INRA, CNAM, Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine Ile-de-France, Bobigny, France

    A-C Vergnaud, S Bertrais, L Maillard-Teyssier, P Galan, S Hercberg & S Czernichow

  2. Nutrition Department, Pitié-Salpétrière Hospital (AP-HP), Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6 University, Paris, France

    J-M Oppert

  3. Public Health Department, Avicenne Hospital (AP-HP), Paris 13 University, Bobigny, France

    S Hercberg & S Czernichow

Authors
  1. A-C Vergnaud
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  2. S Bertrais
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  4. L Maillard-Teyssier
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Correspondence to S Czernichow.

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Vergnaud, AC., Bertrais, S., Oppert, JM. et al. Weight fluctuations and risk for metabolic syndrome in an adult cohort. Int J Obes 32, 315–321 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803739

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803739

Keywords

  • weight fluctuation
  • metabolic syndrome
  • cohort study

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