Higher intraindividual variability of body mass index is associated with elevated risk of COVID-19 related hospitalization and post-COVID conditions
Authors' conclusion
Higher intraindividual variability of BMI was associated with COVID-19 hospitalization and PCC risk. Our findings underscore the need for further elucidating mechanisms that explain these associations and importance for consistent maintenance of body weight.
Study context
- Population
- Blood donors with cardiometabolic health data from routine donation visits in 24 US states (2009–2018) who responded to COVID-19 questionnaires (2021–2023); median age 48 years42,090 donations
- Participants
- 3,344 donors
- Exposure
- Quartiles of intraindividual variability (coefficient of variation (CV)) of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and total cholesterol
- Outcome
- COVID-19 related hospitalization and post-COVID conditions (PCC)
Methodological detailsmulti-site, post-hoc analysis
- Multi-site
- Post-hoc analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
COVID-19 hospitalization by BMI variability quartile
Adjusted relative risk (95% CI)P value
4th quartile
4.15(1.31–13.11)
P = 0.023rd quartile
3.41(1.09–10.69)
P = 0.04- Hospitalized due to COVID-19 (overall)
- 1.2% (N = 40)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Post-COVID conditions (PCC) by BMI variability quartile
| aRR (95% CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th quartile | 1.29 (1.02–1.64) | P = 0.04 | |
| 0.512Adjusted relative risk (log scale) |
- PCC by BMI variability quartile — PCC (overall)
- 15.5% (N = 519)
Blood pressure and total cholesterol variability
- Not associated with COVID-19 hospitalization or PCC risk
- all p > 0.05
Mediation of BMI variability–PCC association by hospitalization
- Not mediated by hospitalization
- P > 0.05
- Causal mediation analysis
Original publication
Higher intraindividual variability of body mass index is associated with elevated risk of COVID-19 related hospitalization and post-COVID conditions. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 12 August 2024. doi:10.
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