Weight changes since age 20 and cardiovascular risk factors in a middle-aged Chinese population.

Background: Little is known about the association between weight changes and adverse health outcomes among Chinese adults. Methods: A total of 1715 Chinese adults, 45-60 years of age, have been recruited to participate in the Hefei Nutrition and Health Study started in 2012. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of weight changes since age 20 (loss ≥5.0 kg; maintain [±4.9 kg]; gain 5.0-9.9 kg; gain ≥10.0 kg) with cardiovascular risk factors. Results: Men who gained 10.0 kg or more had increased risks of hypertension (odds ratios (OR) = 3.07; 95% CI: 1.98-4.76), impaired fasting glucose (OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.02-2.97), reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (OR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.42-5.40) and elevated triglyceride levels (OR = 5.72; 95% CI: 2.94-11.12). Women who gained 10.0 kg or more had increased risks of hypertension, elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and elevated triglycerides levels of 2.01(95% CI: 1.18-3.42), 3.40 (95% CI: 1.18-9.82) and 5.60 (95% CI: 1.59-19.61), respectively. Conclusion: Weight gain during adulthood was associated with increased risks of high triglycerides, hypertension, impaired fasting glucose and risk of reduced HDL cholesterol in men. Furthermore, weight gain was a predictor of high-risk triglycerides, hypertension and elevated LDL cholesterol in women.

Dietary Patterns Modulate the Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Chinese Adults.

Although previous studies reported the associations between the intakes of individual foods or nutrients and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the relationship between dietary patterns and NAFLD in the Chinese population has been rarely studied to date. This study aimed to investigate the associations between dietary patterns and the risk of NAFLD in a middle-aged Chinese population. The Study subjects were 999 Chinese adults aged 45-60 years in the Anhui province who participated in the Hefei Nutrition and Health Study. Dietary intake was collected by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. NAFLD was defined as the presence of moderate-severe hepatic steatosis (by B-ultrasonic examination); the absence of excessive alcohol use (>20 g day(-1) in men and 10 g day(-1) in women); no use of steatogenic medications within the past six months; no exposure to hepatotoxins; and no history of bariatric surgery. Log-binomial regression analysis was used to examine the association between dietary patterns and NAFLD with adjustment of potential confounding variables. Out of 999 participants, 345 (34.5%) were classified as having NAFLD. Four major dietary patterns were identified: "Traditional Chinese", "Animal food", "Grains-vegetables" and "High-salt" dietary patterns. After adjusting for potential confounders, subjects in the highest quartile of the "Animal food" pattern scores had greater prevalence ratio for NAFLD (prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.354; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.063-1.724; p < 0.05) than did those in the lowest quartile. After adjustment for body mass index (BMI), compared with the lowest quartile of the "Grains-vegetables" pattern, the highest quartile had a lower prevalence ratio for NAFLD (PR = 0.777; 95% CI: 0.618-0.977, p < 0.05). However, the "traditional Chinese" and "high-salt" dietary patterns showed no association with the risk of NAFLD. Our findings indicated that the "Animal food" dietary pattern was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD.