Weight Gain, Comorbidities, and Its Associated Factors Among Korean Adults

Association Between Antidepressants and Antianxiety Medications and Weight Gain in Korean Adults Aged 19 to 39 Years

CONTEXT

The number of young Koreans using antidepressants and antianxiety medications is increasing.

OBJECTIVE

Studies evaluating the association between these medications and weight gain are limited. We investigated this association among Korean young adults.

METHODS

We included 792 022 participants aged 19 to 39 years who underwent Korean National Health Insurance Service health examinations more than twice between 2009 and 2019. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between antidepressants and antianxiety medications and weight gain.

RESULTS

The participants' average age and body mass index were 29.4 ± 4.7 years and 23.0 ± 3.6, respectively. The proportions of weight gain of 10 kg/year or more were 1.7%; 2.4%; 2.9%; and 4.1% in individuals using neither antidepressants nor antianxiety medications; only antianxiety medications; only antidepressants; and both antidepressants and antianxiety medications, respectively. Compared with individuals using neither antidepressants nor antianxiety medications, the rate ratios (95% CI) for weight gain of 10 kg/year or more were higher in those using only antianxiety medications; only antidepressants; and both antidepressants and antianxiety medications; at 1.77 (1.69-1.85); 2.15 (2.05-2.0); and 3.04 (2.91-3.18), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Using antidepressants and antianxiety medications may contribute to an increased risk of weight gain among Korean young adults. The potential risk for weight gain should be considered when those medications are used and the prevention of weight gain is needed.

Non-Linear Association Between Physical Activities and Type 2 Diabetes in 2.4 Million Korean Population, 2009-2022: A Nationwide Representative Study

BACKGROUND

Although excessive physical activity (PA) does not always confer additional health benefits, there is a paucity of studies that have quantitatively examined the dose-response relationship between PA and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between the type 2 diabetes prevalence and intensity, frequency, and metabolic equivalent of task (MET) score of PA in a large population sample.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional analysis examining sociodemographic variables, PA habits, and type 2 diabetes prevalence in 2,428,448 participants included in the Korea Community Health Survey. The non-linear association between MET score and odds ratios (ORs) for type 2 diabetes prevalence was plotted using a weighted generalized additive model. Categorical analysis was used to examine the joint association of moderate-intensity PA (MPA) and vigorous-intensity PA (VPA), and the influence of PA frequency.

RESULTS

MET score and diabetes prevalence revealed a non-linear association with the nadir at 1,028 MET-min/week, beyond which ORs increased with additional PA. Joint analysis of MPA and VPA showed the lowest OR of 0.79 (95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.84) for those engaging in 300-600 MET-min/week of MPA and > 600 MET-min/week of VPA concurrently, corresponding with World Health Organization recommendations. Additionally, both "weekend warriors" and "regularly active" individuals showed lower ORs compared to the inactive, although no significant difference was noted between the active groups.

CONCLUSION

In a large South Korean sample, higher PA is not always associated with a lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes, as the association follows a non-linear pattern; differences existed across sociodemographic variables. Considering the joint association, an adequate combination of MPA and VPA is recommended. The frequency of PA does not significantly influence the type 2 diabetes prevalence.

Clinical characteristics affecting weight loss in an East Asian population receiving semaglutide: A STEP 6 subgroup analysis

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of semaglutide versus placebo on body weight (BW) by subgroups of baseline characteristics.

METHODS

In STEP 6, Japanese and Korean adults with overweight or obesity were randomized to subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, semaglutide 1.7 mg, or placebo for 68 weeks. A subset of Japanese participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) was also included. In this post-hoc analysis, change from baseline in BW (%) was assessed by subgroups of baseline characteristics including baseline BW, body mass index, age, sex, glycemic status, dyslipidemia, and hypertension.

RESULTS

Of 401 participants (148 female and 253 male) included, the estimated mean change in BW was clinically relevant across all subgroups for semaglutide 2.4 mg, ranging from -9.40 % to -16.42 %. Estimated treatment differences also favored both semaglutide doses versus placebo. Significant treatment-by-subgroup interactions were observed for sex with semaglutide 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg versus placebo at week 68 (p = 0.0008 and p = 0.0005, respectively). Significant treatment-by-subgroup interactions were also observed for presence of T2D and dyslipidemia at baseline, for semaglutide 2.4 mg versus placebo only (p = 0.0381 and p = 0.0181, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Semaglutide reduces BW in a wide demographic of people with a range of weight-related comorbidities in an East Asian population.

Association between Weight Change and Incidence of Dyslipidemia in Young Adults: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Korean Male Soldiers

Background

Recent lifestyle changes have increased the prevalence of dyslipidemia in Korea. Young men are known to have a low awareness of dyslipidemia and a lack of motivation to maintain their weight. However, the association between weight change and dyslipidemia in young adults has not been thoroughly examined.

Methods

Data from the Armed Forces Medical Command Defense Medical Information System database were used. In this study, 15,068 soldiers who underwent private and corporal health examinations between May 2020 and April 2022 were included. The difference in weights between the two different health examinations was used to quantify weight change. Four components of the lipid profile were used to assess dyslipidemia during the corporal health examination.

Results

After adjusting for relevant covariates, weight gain was associated with increased risk of dyslipidemia (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.38 [95% confidence interval, CI, 1.15 to 1.64] for the 5% to 10% weight gain group; and OR, 2.02 [95% CI, 1.59 to 2.55] for the ≥10% weight gain group), whereas weight loss was associated with decreased risk (adjusted OR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.68 to 0.98] for the 5% to 10% weight loss group; and OR, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.27 to 0.53] for the ≥10% weight loss group). In subgroup analysis based on the participants' baseline body mass index, smoking status, regular exercise habits, and hypertension status, there were no significant differences between the subgroups.

Conclusion

Weight change was associated with dyslipidemia in Korean male soldiers. The findings suggest that limiting weight gain in young adults by encouraging a healthy lifestyle may help prevent dyslipidemia.

Predictors of weight and waist gain in US South Asians: Findings from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study

Background

Weight and waist gain are significant concerns in adulthood. Both weight and waist gain are particularly important among South Asians, a high-risk group known to develop chronic cardiometabolic complications at any body mass index compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate factors predicting weight and waist gain in a longitudinal cohort of US South Asians, a high-risk group for developing obesity-related complications.

Methods

We used data from Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America study (MASALA) exam 1 (2010-2013) and exam 2 (2015-2018), with a mean 4.8 years of follow-up.

Results

Of 634 participants studied (42.7% women, mean age 55 years, BMI 25.7 kg/m2, weight 70.4 kg at exam 1), 34.7% had gained ≥5% weight and 32.3% gained ≥5% waist at exam 2. In the adjusted models, older age, higher number of years of US residence, and having diabetes were associated with lower odds of weight gain; being female and having higher adiponectin were associated with higher odds of weight gain. Being female, employed full or part time, or retired were associated with lower odds of waist gain. Being single, separated/divorced, having a higher leptin and a higher C-reactive protein level were associated with higher odds of waist gain.

Conclusions

South Asian subgroups with higher risk of weight and/or waist gain may benefit from targeted interventions to improve health outcomes.