Determinants of Metabolic Health Across Body Mass Index Categories in Central Europe: A Comparison Between Swiss and Czech Populations

Abstract

Comparisons among countries can help to identify opportunities for the reduction of inequalities in cardiometabolic health. The present cross-sectional analysis and meta-analysis aim to address to what extent obesity traits, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors determine poor metabolic health across body mass index (BMI) categories in two urban population-based samples from Central Europe. Data from the CoLaus (∼6,000 participants; Lausanne, Switzerland) and the Kardiovize Brno 2030 (∼2,000 participants; Brno, Czech Republic) cohorts. For each cohort, logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the main determinants of poor metabolic health overall and stratified by body mass index (BMI) categories. The results of each cohort were then combined in a meta-analysis. We first observed that waist circumference and body fat mass were associated with metabolic health, especially in non-obese individuals. Moreover, increasing age, being male, having low-medium educational level, abdominal obesity, and high body fat mass were the main determinants of the metabolically unhealthy profile in both cohorts. Meta-analysis stratified by BMI categories confirmed the previous results with slight differences across BMI categories. In fact, increasing age and being male were the main determinants of poor metabolic health independent of obesity status. In contrast, low educational level and current smoking were associated with poor metabolic health only in non-obese individuals. In line, public health strategies against obesity and related comorbidities should aim to improve social conditions and to promote healthy lifestyles before the progression of metabolic disorders.

Major dietary patterns and predicted cardiovascular disease risk in an Iranian adult population

“…Furthermore, Maugeri et al (2020) showed that low income was associated with an increasing number of dietary risk factors for CVD. Kunzova et al (2020) also observed that having low–medium educational level was the main determinant of the metabolically unhealthy profile. These findings suggest that a diet rich in vegetables and fruits may have a beneficial effect in the management of CVD risk factors (Muga et al, 2016).…”

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet partially mediates socioeconomic differences in leukocyte LINE-1 methylation: evidence from a cross-sectional study in Italian women

“…In general, low socioeconomic status (SES)—expressed in terms of educational level, employment and income—is associated with earlier onset of age-related chronic diseases and higher risk of death 2 , 3 . Socio-economic disadvantaged individuals tend to fare worse with regards to non-communicable diseases (NCD) risk factors, which include unhealthy behaviors 2 – 6 . Thus, strategies aiming to reduce health disparities should also include the promotion of healthy behaviors (e.g.…”

Self-perception: Does Obesity Influence Quality of Life

“…Underweight individuals, especially men, also had more comorbidities, although not signi cantly [2][3]22]. Similarly, Kunzova et al have found that being male, besides the increasing age, was the main determinant for poor metabolic health regardless of the obesity status [23]. Our results show that respondents with BMI <25 kg/m 2 assess the quality of life as better, they are more satis ed with health in general and are more satis ed with their physical and psychological health, social relations and environment.…”