Higher body mass index at ages 16 to 20 years is associated with increased risk of a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in subsequent adulthood among men.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Evidence for the association between body mass index (BMI) and multiple sclerosis (MS) among men remains mixed. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: Swedish military conscription and other registers identified MS after age of 20 years and BMI at ages 16-20 years (N = 744,548). RESULTS: Each unit (kg/m2) BMI increase was associated with greater MS risk (hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval = 1.034, 1.016-1.053), independent of physical fitness (1.021, 1.001-1.042). Categorised, overweight and obesity were associated with statistically significant raised MS risk compared to normal weight, but not after adjustment for physical fitness. CONCLUSION: MS risk rises with increasing BMI, across the entire BMI range.