Markers of Inflammation and Weight Change in Middle‐Aged Adults: Results From the Prospective MONICA/KORA S3/F3 Study

Abstract

We investigated associations of markers of inflammation such as albumin, fibrinogen, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell count (WBCC) with future weight gain and weight loss in middle‐aged adults in order to further elucidate the relationship between subclinical inflammation and weight change. Data were derived from the third population‐based MONICA (Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Diseases) Augsburg survey (S3) conducted as part of the multinational World Health Organization MONICA project in 1994–1995 and a follow‐up examination, to which all eligible subjects from S3 were invited in 2004–2005 (F3). In total, 2,792 persons (1,391 men, 1,401 women) aged 25–74 years at baseline were analyzed. Subjects with elevated concentrations of inflammatory markers were more prone to gain weight during follow‐up. The odds ratios (OR) for a large mean annual weight gain (i.e., on average 1.02 kg/year) was 1.73 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27, 2.35) in fully adjusted analyses for subjects in the highest compared to the lowest quartile of fibrinogen. The respective ORs were 1.45 (95% CI, 1.08, 1.94) and 1.37 (95% CI, 1.03, 1.82) for CRP and WBCC. Stratified analyses revealed that associations were strongest among subjects who quitted smoking during the follow‐up period (new quitters). Associations of inflammatory markers with large mean annual weight loss were weaker and became nonsignificant after multivariable adjustment. In conclusion, elevated levels of inflammatory markers are independently associated with weight gain in middle‐aged adults, particularly among new quitters. This suggests that inflammation plays a key role in the process of weight gain, especially after smoking cessation.

Inflammation and weight gain in reproductive-aged women

“…Although mild inflammatory activity is normal in pregnancy (Palm et al, 2013), our finding with respect to CRP – although not IL-6 or TNF-α – parallels those of prospective investigations in non-pregnant populations (Engstrom et al, 2003, Holz et al, 2010), and could be explained by a few mechanisms. Researchers have speculated that although inflammatory cytokines initially stimulate thermogenesis through actions of regulatory hormones such as leptin (Bruun et al, 2002) and insulin (Xu et al, 2003), sustained inflammation paradoxically impairs thermogenesis by desensitizing beta-adrenergic signaling pathways, eventually leading to weight gain (Seals and Bell, 2004).…”

“…Because adipose tissue can secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammation is traditionally regarded as a consequence of adiposity. However, some epidemiological investigations (Engstrom et al, 2003, Holz et al, 2010) found that low-grade inflammation preceded weight gain, suggesting that it may play a role in adipose accumulation. Little is known of this relation in reproductive-aged women, a population of special concern considering the high prevalence of overweight/obesity in this group (Flegal et al, 2012) and the adverse consequences of excess weight entering and during pregnancy for both mother and child (Oken et al, 2009).…”

Stability of peritoneal tissue evaluated by the means of DSC in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

“…Additionally, increase in WBC count at the day of hospital discharge accompanied the increase in patients' BMI value. Our observations correlate with the epidemiological studies indicating the increase in WBC count in individuals with higher fat storage what probably is the result of obesity-driven inflammation [45,46].…”

The Association Between Reduced Inflammation and Cognitive Gains After Bariatric Surgery

“…High inflammation levels are associated with weight gain(17,18) and obesity(19–23). Elevated inflammation is also related to cognitive decline and dementia(24–28) and has been proposed as a mechanism for the elevated risk of such conditions in obese persons(29).…”