Sex‐specific associations of body mass index and waist circumference loss with the risk of atrial fibrillation
Authors' conclusion
Reductions in BMI, body weight, and WC were associated with lower risk of incident AF, particularly in overweight or obese participants. The magnitude of association differed by anthropometric measure and sex, with BMI change showing stronger associations in men and WC change in women. Anthropometric changes may aid risk stratification and inform prevention efforts in higher-risk groups.
Study context
- Population
- Participants of the Kailuan Study free of atrial fibrillation (AF), with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) measured in 2006–2007 and 2010–2011
- Participants
- 60,402 participants
- Exposure
- 4-year reductions in BMI, body weight and WC vs no such reduction
- Outcome
- Incident AF
- Follow-up
- Median 13.0 years (IQR 12.5-13.3)
Methodological detailssex-stratified analysis, Cox proportional hazards models
- Sex-stratified analysis
- Cox proportional hazards models
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
median follow-up 13.0 years
- Men: BMI reduction >2.5 kg/m², HR
- 0.663 (0.467-0.940) (95% CI)
- Men: body weight loss >5 kg, HR
- 0.662 (0.468-0.936) (95% CI)
- Men: WC reduction >4 cm, HR
- 0.768 (0.601-0.982) (95% CI)
- Women: WC reduction >4 cm, HR
- 0.499 (0.279-0.892) (95% CI)
- Incident AF cases
- 582 (484 men, 98 women)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Participants with overweight or obesity
- Similar patterns were observed among participants with overweight or obesity
Sex interaction
- Formal tests for sex interaction were not statistically significant
Original publication
Sex‐specific associations of body mass index and waist circumference loss with the risk of atrial fibrillation. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 23 February 2026. doi:10.
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