Korean J Fam Pract.  2024 Jun;14(2):105-113. 10.21215/kjfp.2024.14.2.105.

Association between Body Weight Variability and Mortality in Young Adults: A Nationwide Cohort Study

• Park Y
• Han K

• KMID: 2556847
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21215/kjfp.2024.14.2.105

Abstract

Background
Body weight variability is associated with health status, lifestyle, and chronic diseases. However, there is limited evidence of its association with mortality in young adults. This study aimed to explore the impact of body weight variability on all-cause and cause-specific mortality risks among young adults in South Korea.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study included 1,771,152 young adults aged 20–39 years who underwent health examinations provided by the Korean National Health Insurance Service between 2009 and 2010 and were followed up until 2021. Body weight variability was assessed using the variability independent of mean (VIM). The association between VIM quartiles in terms of body weight and mortality was analyzed using a Cox regression model.
Results
During a mean follow-up period of 10.8 years, 11,708 all-cause deaths occurred. Compared to the lowest VIM quartile (Q1) group, the all-cause mortality risk was 1.07 times higher in the Q3 group (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.13) and 1.20 times higher in the Q4 group (95% CI, 1.14– 1.26). The all-cause mortality risk increased with higher VIM quartiles. Higher body weight variability has also been associated with mortality from suicide, gastrointestinal diseases, and endocrine diseases. These associations persisted across subgroups categorized by sex, weight change, and body mass index.
Conclusion
This large-scale nationwide cohort study indicates that higher body weight variability in young adults may elevate the risk of all-cause mortality, mortality from suicide, and gastrointestinal and endocrine diseases. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining stable body weight in young adults.

Keyword

Young Adult; Biological Variation, Individual; Body Weight Changes; Mortality