A prospective study of weight change and systemic inflammation over 9 y.
BACKGROUND
An increase in weight is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cancer. This increased risk may be mediated by inflammation, but no long-term data are available on the effect of weight gain on systemic inflammation.


OBJECTIVE
We tested the hypothesis that weight gain is associated with an increase in systemic inflammation during a 9-y period.


METHODS
In 1991 data on body weight and a blood sample were collected from a random sample of 2425 randomly selected adults from a community-based cohort in Nottingham, United Kingdom. In 2000, these measures were repeated in 1301 of these participants. The main outcome measure was change in systemic inflammation as measured by serum C-reactive protein (CRP) from the 1222 participants who provided paired samples.


RESULTS
The mean change in weight from 1991 to 2000 was 2.9 kg (95% CI: 2.6, 3.2 kg). The geometric mean of CRP in 1991 was 1.22 mg/L (95% CI: 0.03, 125.0 mg/L), and it increased to 1.76 mg/L (95% CI: 0.09, 62.0 mg/L) in 2000 (P<0.001). A linear association was observed between increase in weight and serum CRP, with a 1-kg increment in weight being associated with an additional increase in CRP of 0.09 mg/L (95% CI: 0.02, 0.16 mg/L) during this time period.


CONCLUSIONS
During a 9-y period, an increase in weight is associated with an increase in systemic inflammation. This provides a mechanism that may explain some of the previously reported association of weight gain with an increased risk of both cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Fogarty
Andrew W
AW
Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham, and the Department of Clinical Chemistry, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, United Kingdom. andrew.fogarty@nottingham.ac.uk
Glancy
Caoimhe
C
Jones
Stuart
S
Lewis
Sarah A
SA
McKeever
Tricia M
TM
Britton
John R
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D006113:United Kingdom; D015430:Weight Gain
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein