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

• 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/m(2)) 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.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Obesity

underweight

body mass index

multiple sclerosis

men

adolescence

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)