Body mass index and visual impairment in Israeli adolescents: A nationwide study

Pediatr ObesPublished 21 Nov 2023Retrospective population-based cross-sectional study

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Authors' conclusion

Abnormal BMI, and particularly obesity, is associated with increased OR for VI in late adolescence.

Study context

Population: Israeli adolescents (56.4% men; mean age 17 years) undergoing mandatory pre-military service assessments, 1993–2017
Participants: 1,697,060 adolescents

Exposure: Body mass index (BMI) categories vs high-normal BMI
Outcome: Unilateral or bilateral VI: best-corrected visual acuity worse than 6/9 in either or both eyes, respectively

Methodological detailsnationwide, sex-stratified regression adjusted for sociodemographic variables

As reported in the abstract

Each group vs high-normal BMIAdjusted odds ratio (CI)

Severe obesitymen, unilateral VI

1.33(1.13–1.55)

Severe obesitymen, bilateral VI

1.80(1.37–2.35)

Severe obesitywomen, unilateral VI

1.51(1.24–1.84)

Severe obesitywomen, bilateral VI

1.52(1.08–2.14)

Underweightmen, unilateral VI

1.23(1.14–1.33)

Underweightmen, bilateral VI

1.59(1.37–1.84)

Underweightwomen, unilateral VI

0.96(0.86–1.07)

Underweightwomen, bilateral VI

1.02(0.83–1.25)

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Sensitivity and subgroup analyses: mild VI; unimpaired health; no moderate-to-severe myopia

Results maintained when restricted to mild VI and in subgroups with unimpaired health and without moderate-to-severe myopia

Body mass index and visual impairment in Israeli adolescents: A nationwide study. Pediatr Obes. Published 21 November 2023. doi:10.1111/ijpo.13083

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