Change in body mass index and disease burden among people with obesity and multiple long‐term conditions
Authors' conclusion
Weight loss in individuals with obesity and MLTCs was linked to both favourable and adverse outcomes, highlighting the importance of personalised treatment approaches that consider outcomes beyond weight loss.
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged ≤70 years with body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m² and ≥2 obesity-related complications (ORCs); BMI recorded in Years 1 and 4 of baseline period; mean ORCs at index (Year 4) 3.8 (SD 1.5)
- Participants
- 618,426 adults
- Exposure
- BMI change categories vs stable BMI
- Outcome
- Incident ORCs (risk of ≥1 new ORC), by BMI change category
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
HR (95% CI) for incident ORCs, highest BMI reduction
0.96
0.94–0.98
HR (95% CI) for incident ORCs, intermediate BMI reduction
0.98
0.96–0.99
HR (95% CI) for incident ORCs, lowest BMI reduction
0.98
0.97–0.99
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Clinical consultations, by BMI reduction category
- Risk ratio (95% CI) for consultations, highest BMI reduction
- 0.99 (0.98-1.00)
- Risk ratio (95% CI) for consultations, intermediate BMI reduction
- 0.99 (0.98-1.00)
- Risk ratio (95% CI) for consultations, lowest BMI reduction
- 1.00 (0.99-1.00)
- Order as in the preceding sentence: highest to lowest BMI reductions
Polypharmacy
- BMI reductions were linked to lower polypharmacy rates
Mental-health conditions, hospitalisation and mortality
- Both BMI decrease and increase associated with higher HRs for mental-health conditions, hospitalisation and mortality vs stable BMI
Original publication
Change in body mass index and disease burden among people with obesity and multiple long‐term conditions. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 12 January 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →