A prospective study of weight change and systemic inflammation over 9 y

Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Jan;87(1):30-5. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/87.1.30.

Abstract

Background: An increase in weight is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cancer. This increased risk may be mediated by inflammation, but no long-term data are available on the effect of weight gain on systemic inflammation.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that weight gain is associated with an increase in systemic inflammation during a 9-y period.

Design: In 1991 data on body weight and a blood sample were collected from a random sample of 2425 randomly selected adults from a community-based cohort in Nottingham, United Kingdom. In 2000, these measures were repeated in 1301 of these participants. The main outcome measure was change in systemic inflammation as measured by serum C-reactive protein (CRP) from the 1222 participants who provided paired samples.

Results: The mean change in weight from 1991 to 2000 was 2.9 kg (95% CI: 2.6, 3.2 kg). The geometric mean of CRP in 1991 was 1.22 mg/L (95% CI: 0.03, 125.0 mg/L), and it increased to 1.76 mg/L (95% CI: 0.09, 62.0 mg/L) in 2000 (P<0.001). A linear association was observed between increase in weight and serum CRP, with a 1-kg increment in weight being associated with an additional increase in CRP of 0.09 mg/L (95% CI: 0.02, 0.16 mg/L) during this time period.

Conclusion: During a 9-y period, an increase in weight is associated with an increase in systemic inflammation. This provides a mechanism that may explain some of the previously reported association of weight gain with an increased risk of both cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Anthropometry
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Body Mass Index
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / blood*
  • Inflammation / epidemiology*
  • Linear Models
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / blood*
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Smoking / blood
  • United Kingdom
  • Weight Gain*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • C-Reactive Protein