Weight change and changes in the metabolic syndrome as the French population moves towards overweight: The D.E.S.I.R. Cohort

• Published in: International journal of epidemiology 2006-02, Vol.35 (1), p.190-196
• Main Authors: Hillier, TA, Fagot-Campagna, A, Eschwège, E, Vol, S, Cailleau, M, Balkau, B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Blood Glucose - analysis; Blood Pressure; Body Composition; Cholesterol, HDL - blood; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; France - epidemiology; Health Surveys; Humans; Insulin - blood; insulin resistance; Male; Metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Overweight - physiology; Triglycerides - blood; weight change; Weight Gain
• ISSN: 0300-5771; 1464-3685
• DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyi281

Background How weight change affects the metabolic syndrome (MS) and its parameters is unknown, particularly, in a leaner European population such as the French prospective D.E.S.I.R. cohort. Methods In 3770 D.E.S.I.R. participants (sex ratio = 1) averaging 47.5 years (range 30–64), with measured weight and MS parameters at baseline (D0) and at 6 year follow-up (D6), we assessed this relationship across five weight-change classes, using stable weight as the referent group (−2 to +2 kg). We used analysis-of-covariance to assess changes in each MS parameter and logistic regression to assess incident MS, according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). We also assessed weight-change effect on MS status between D0 and D6. Results At D0, average weight was 68.4 kg (SD 12.3); BMI was 24.8 kg/m2 (SD 3.5). From D0–D6, the cohort gained a mean 2.1 kg (median 2.0; SD 4.4). After adjustment for age and D0 weight, there was a strong linear relationship with weight change and worsening of the following MS parameters at D6: fasting insulin, waist girth, fasting glucose, fasting triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001). After age adjustment, for every kilogram gained over 6 years, risk of developing the NCEP Syndrome increased 22% (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.18–1.25). NCEP-MS was incident in 3% of those with stable weight compared with 21% among those gaining >9 kg; 10% of those who lost >2 kg reverted to non-NCEP-MS. Conclusions All continuous MS measures are linearly related to weight change, and MS can resolve with modest weight loss, underscoring the importance of maintaining lifelong normal weight.