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Anthropometric status and cataract: the Salisbury Eye Evaluation project
L E Caulfield1, S K West, Y Barrón
1Center for Human Nutrition, The Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. lcaulfie@jhsph.edu
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|February 16, 1999
Summary
Body mass index (BMI) and height are linked to cataract risk, but the specific relationship varies by cataract type. Lower BMI and taller stature increase nuclear cataract risk, while higher BMI and taller stature are associated with cortical cataracts.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Body mass index (BMI) is a known risk factor for cataracts, but the association's nature remains unclear.
- Understanding the relationship between BMI, stature, and cataract subtypes is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and stature with the risk of different cataract types.
- To clarify the independent contributions of BMI and height to cataract development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Salisbury Eye Evaluation (SEE) cross-sectional study (1993-1995).
- Utilized multiple logistic regression to compare risk factors for nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataracts versus no cataract.
- Included demographic, nutritional, and environmental factors in the analysis.
Main Results:
- Lower BMI and taller stature were associated with increased risk of nuclear opacification.
- Higher BMI and taller stature were linked to increased risk of cortical opacification, though stature's effect diminished.
- No significant association was found between BMI and PSC opacities, but taller stature showed a trend towards increased risk.
Conclusions:
- Both BMI and stature are independent risk factors for cataract development.
- The specific type of cataract is influenced by the nature of the association with BMI and stature.