Effect of cadmium exposure on body composition deterioration: A propensity score-matched cohort study

This propensity score-matched cohort study investigated the effects of blood cadmium (Cd) levels on body composition. Body composition was assessed by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis and categorized into three groups: metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), adiposity obesity (AO), and sarcopenic obesity (SO). At baseline, 85 and 101 participants had MHO and AO, respectively (mean age, 51 ± 7 years; male-to-female ratio, 1.0:1.3). During the 14-year follow-up, the body composition of 40 MHO and 6 AO participants deteriorated to AO and SO, respectively. The incidence of AO and SO differed according to age, sex, and blood Cd level. High blood Cd level increased the risk of body composition deterioration, particularly among those aged 60-69 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.14), women (HR = 1.46), and those with AO at baseline (HR = 1.63; all p < 0.05). Cd exposure deteriorates body composition in older and female individuals, particularly from AO to SO.