Progression from metabolically benign to at-risk obesity in perimenopausal women: A longitudinal analysis of Study of Women Across the Nation (SWAN)

Unab I. Khan, Dan Wang, Carrie A. Karvonen-Gutierrez, Naila Khalil, Kelly R. Ylitalo, Nanette Santoro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the natural history of progression from a metabolically benign overweight/obese (MBO) to at-risk overweight/obese (ARO) phenotype. Improved understanding would help clinicians focus on controlling risk factors that predispose an obese individual to progression. Methods: Using discrete-time proportional hazard modeling on data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), we examined the incident progression fromMBO(less than two metabolic syndrome abnormalities) to ARO (two or more metabolic syndrome abnormalities) and factors associated with progression over a 7-year period. Results: Of 866 MBO women at baseline, 43% progressed to the ARO phenotype. Compared with thosewhoremained MBO, thosewhoprogressed had higher baseline BMI and a higher prevalence of cardiometabolic abnormalities (elevated glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol). In multivariable analyses, an increase in body mass index was associated with a modest increase in the risk of progression. Although all cardiometabolic abnormalities were associated with an increased risk, the baseline impaired fasting glucose showed the strongest association with the risk of progression [hazard ratio 3.24; 95% confidence interval 2.10, 4.92; P < .001]. Physical activity played a protective role in decreasing the risk of progression [hazard ratio 0.86; 95% confidence interval 0.80, 0.92; P < .001]. Conclusions: Increasing obesity and the presence of cardiometabolic abnormalities increase the risk of progression, whereas physical activity is the only lifestyle factor protective against progression from metabolically benign to the at-risk overweight/obese phenotype, a state that is unanimously associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2516-2525
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume99
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Progression from metabolically benign to at-risk obesity in perimenopausal women: A longitudinal analysis of Study of Women Across the Nation (SWAN)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this