[Health risk assessment of long-term weight history]

This study evaluates the correlation between long-term weight history and health risks. One thousand three hundred and sixteen male subjects of normal weight (-5%(-)+5% by Broca's obesity index) at age twenty, were studied. The average age of the subjects was 43.7 +/- 6.5 (M. +/- S.D.) years old. According to their long-term weight history, the subjects were classified into four groups: weight lost (N = 35), weight stable (N = 502), mild weight gain (N = 187), severe weight gain (N = 592). Odds ratios for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, uric acid, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglyceride, shortness of breath, hyperperspiration, angina pectoris, and hypertension were significantly higher in the severe weight gain group than in the stable weight group. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed by choosing weight history, obesity index, age, and smoking and drinking habits as the independent variables. Weight history was shown to be a significant variable in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglyceride, shortness of breath, chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Odds ratios for factors suspected of promoting atherosclerosis were significantly higher in the severe weight gain group. Results of this study indicate that a weight gain of over 7 kilograms appears to be the critical level that is associated with health risks.