Key result
Individuals in the highest strata of body weight fluctuation had a significantly increased risk of any cardiovascular event compared to those with the least fluctuation (RR 1.27).
Why the study?
Prior studies evaluating body weight fluctuation and cardiovascular disease risk yielded mixed findings, lacked systematic synthesis, and had not investigated the impact of ethnicity or type 2 diabetes.
Does body weight fluctuation increase the risk of cardiovascular events in adults?
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (n=15,382,537)
Does body weight fluctuation increase the risk of cardiovascular events in adults?
Relative Risk: 1.27 (95% CI 1.17–1.38)
p-value: p=<0.0001
Body weight fluctuation is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke, regardless of ethnicity or diabetes status.
Weight variability was associated with higher CV event risk independent of diabetes/ethnicity; supports targeted stability research but should not yet change practice.
The association between body weight fluctuation and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been investigated previously with mixed findings. However, there has been no extensive study which systematically evaluates the current evidence. Furthermore, the impact of ethnicity and type 2 diabetes on this phenomena has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the effect of weight fluctuation on risk of CVD (any cardiovascular (CV) event, composite CV outcome, CV death, Stroke, Myocardial Infarction) and the influence of ethnicity and type 2 diabetes status on the observed association. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to the meta-analyses of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. The electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies that investigated the relationship between body weight or BMI fluctuation and CV diseases using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and keywords. The relative risks (RRs) for the outcomes were collected from studies, pooled, and analysed using a random-effects model to estimate the overall relative risk. Of 5645 articles screened, 23 studies with a total population of 15,382,537 fulfilled the prespecified criteria and were included. Individuals in the highest strata of body weight fluctuation were found to have significantly increased risk of any CV events (RR = 1.27; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.17–1.38; P < 0.0001), cardiovascular death (RR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.02–1.46), myocardial infarction (RR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.09–1.59; P = 0.0037), stroke (RR = 1.21; 95% CI 1.19–1.24; P < 0.0001), and compound CVD outcomes (RR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.08–1.73; P = 0.01). Similar RRs were observed regarding BMI fluctuation and per unit standard deviation (SD) increase in body weight fluctuation. Comparable effects were seen in people with and without diabetes, in White Europeans and Asians. In conclusion, body weight variability is associated with increased risk of CV diseases regardless of ethnicity or diabetes status. Future research is needed to prove a causative link between weight cycling and CVD risk, as appropriate interventions to maintain stable weight could positively influence CVD.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Massey et al. (2022) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in Cardiovascular disease risk (n=15,382,537). Body weight fluctuation vs. Least fluctuating or stable weight group was evaluated on Any new cardiovascular event (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.17-1.38, p=<0.0001). Individuals in the highest strata of body weight fluctuation had a significantly increased risk of any cardiovascular event compared to those with the least fluctuation (RR 1.27).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: