Association of body mass index changes from childhood to adulthood with dyslipidemia in adults: Hanzhong adolescent cohort study

Background Dyslipidemia is a disorder of lipid metabolism and associated with insulin resistance. The relationship between longitudinal body mass index (BMI) changes from childhood to adulthood and long-term dyslipidemia was explored in this study. Methods We assessed the longitudinal relationship between BMI changes since childhood and dyslipidemia among 1738 participants in rural areas of Hanzhong City, Shaanxi. All participants were initially examined between the ages of 6 and 15 years in 1987 and were reexamined in 1995, 2013 and 2017; the total follow-up duration was 30 years. Anthropometric measurements and blood biochemistry indexes were measured. Results We found that gradual progression of normal weight to overweight (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.27, 2.15) or persistent overweight (OR = 2.45; 95% CI = 1.52, 3.96) from childhood to adulthood was associated with an increased risk of dyslipidemia in adulthood. And these risks were largely disappeared if the overweight or obesity during childhood was resolved by adulthood. The higher the BMI in adulthood and the younger the age at which overweight begins, the higher the risk of dyslipidemia. Conclusions Early weight loss and any degree of weight loss from childhood to adulthood can help improve dyslipidemia in adulthood. We further emphasize the importance of weight management and control in public health primary prevention.

Automated summary

The study found that gradually progressing from normal weight to overweight or persisting overweight from childhood to adulthood is associated with an increased risk of dyslipidemia in adulthood. If overweight or obesity during childhood is resolved by adulthood, these risks largely disappear. A higher BMI in adulthood and a younger age at which overweight begins are associated with a higher risk of dyslipidemia.