Relative Weight, Weight Change, and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in the Honolulu Heart Program

Abstract

Risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) among the Honolulu Heart Program participants was examined in relation to body mass index (BMI) at age 25 and two subsequent periods of weight change: age 25 to examination I (1965-1968) and examination I to examination III (1971-1974). During a maximum follow-up period of 17 years after examination III, there were 479 incident cases of CHD among the study sample of 6,176 Japanese-American men. Levels of BMI at age 25 were positively related to CHD incidence after statistical control for age, smoking, and subsequent weight change. Relative risk between the lowest and highest BMI categories was 2.44 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.61-3.69). Compared with a weight change of less than 2.5 kg between age 25 and examination I, relative risks were 1.41 (95% CI 1.00-1.97) for a weight gain between 2.6 and 5 kg, 1.60 (95% CI 1.22-2.11) for a weight gain between 5.1 and 10 kg, and 1.75 (95% CI 1.32-2.33) for a weight gain of more than 10 kg. During the examination I-III period, in contrast, the highest risk of CHD was found in men who lost the greatest amount of weight; the relative risk of CHD for men who lost more than 2.5 kg was 1.25 (95% CI 0.98-1.60). The authors conclude that levels of relative weight in early adulthood were positively related to risk of CHD occurring much later in the lives of these men. The association between CHD incidence and weight change appeared to be modified by age, with higher risks for earlier weight gain and later weight loss in the lives of these men.

Body mass index and weight change since 20 years of age and risk of coronary heart disease among Japanese: the Japan Public Health Center-Based Study

“…5,[10][11][12][13] High BMI was associated with increased risks of mortality from coronary heart disease 14 and cardiovascular disease, 5,10,15 and also with an increased incidence for coronary heart disease. 3,16,17 Furthermore, weight gain was associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease among middle-aged men. [16][17][18] However, few prospective studies in Asian countries have examined associations of BMI 19,20 and weight change with the incidence of coronary heart disease.…”

“…3,16,17 Furthermore, weight gain was associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease among middle-aged men. [16][17][18] However, few prospective studies in Asian countries have examined associations of BMI 19,20 and weight change with the incidence of coronary heart disease.…”

Risk factors of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases among Jamaican adolescents

“…Researchers have found that unhealthy weight gain increases the risk of heart disease in both men and women (Galanis, Harris, & Sharp et al, 1998). It is estimated that "a gain of 10-20 pounds increases the risk of coronary heart disease to 1.25 and 1.6 times in women and men respectively" (Willet, Manson, Stampfer et al, 1995;& Galanis, et al, 1998).…”

“…It is estimated that "a gain of 10-20 pounds increases the risk of coronary heart disease to 1.25 and 1.6 times in women and men respectively" (Willet, Manson, Stampfer et al, 1995;& Galanis, et al, 1998). As weight gain increases, the risks become greater.…”

“…As weight gain increases, the risks become greater. For example, increase of 22 pounds or over for men, and 44 pounds for women increase the risk of coronary heart disease to 1.75 and 2.65 respectively (Willet, et al, 1995;Galanis, et al, 1998). Some health risks associated with obesity among others, include premature death, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, asthma, breathing problems, cancer (endometrial, colon, kidney, gallbladder and post-menopausal breast cancer), high blood cholesterol, menstrual irregularities, hirsutism (growth of excess body and facial hair), stress, incontinence, increased surgical risk, and depression (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), 1996).…”