In a large community-based sample of middle-aged men, overweight and obesity were strongly linked to future severe diverticular disease leading to hospitalization.

In this large and unselected population of patients with a first surgical procedure for groin hernia a relative dominance of female and femoral hernias presented as an emergency condition was observed in the low BMI group. The prevalence of obesity was markedly low. Both lean and obese patients had an increased risk for postoperative complications.

In our cohort, the recurrence rate of sigmoid volvulus following successful nonoperative decompression was high. Still, more than 20% of patients did not experience a recurrence after their first episode. Nonoperative decompression could thus be suggested as the sole treatment for the first episode of volvulus. However, after the second episode it is probable that early planned surgery would improve outcome and reduce health-care consumption.

In a large community-based sample of middle-aged men overweight and obesity were associated with a lower risk for groin hernia during an extended follow-up. Obesity, in comparison with normal weight, reduced the risk of groin hernia by 43%. A reduced risk of groin hernia was also noted in heavy smokers. Obviously, hernia may be more easily detected in lean men but a true protective effect cannot be excluded.