Associations between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Dyslipidemia: Results from the PERSIAN Guilan cohort study (PSCS)

Abstract

Abstract Background: Given the high prevalence of obesity and its relationship with dyslipidemia, both as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between BMI and dyslipidemia in the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (PERSIAN) Guilan cohort study (PGCS) population. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, demographic and biochemical data were collected from 10519 participants of the PGCS population aged 35-70 years in Some’e Sara County, Guilan, Iran. Participants were divided into two groups with and without dyslipidemia and were compared based on different levels of BMI. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software with a significance level<0.05. Results: The average age of the participants is 51.52 ± 8.90 years. The prevalence of dyslipidemia in all participants was equal to 75.8 %. Most of the people with dyslipidemia were in the age group of 45-54 years. Among those with dyslipidemia, 41.2 % and 35.5 % had overweight and obesity, respectively. Furthermore, individuals with dyslipidemia demonstrated higher proportions of women, employed individuals, rural residents, those with higher socio-economic status, elevated BMI, and lower levels of physical activity, (P<0.001). In the unadjusted model, there was a positive association between BMI and the prevalence of dyslipidemia (OR=1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.10), indicating that for one-unit increase in participants' BMI, the probability of having dyslipidemia increased by 9%, which was remained statistically significant even after adjusting (OR=1.07, 95% CI: 1.06-1.08) (P<0.001). Conclusion: The risk of dyslipidemia increases in the group with high BMI and low physical activity compared to others. Therefore, weight loss should be recommended for all those with a high BMI. Also, community-based education would be helpful to increase public knowledge.