[Impact of body mass index on men in their 20s and the effects of subsequent changes in body weight upon the rates of hypertension and diabetes and medical costs in their 40s].

Abstract

To investigate the impact of body mass index (BMI) of men in their 20s and the effects of subsequent changes in body weight upon medication rates, prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and medical costs in their 40s. A total of 10,125 men who were in their 20s in 1989 were recruited as subjects and grouped according to their BMI and a combination of BMI and increase in body weight over a 20-year period. A logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate subsequent medication rates, prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and consultation rate. Analysis of covariance was performed for mean medical costs on the basis of the BMI value in their 20s. All data were adjusted for age in 1989 and changes in body weight over the subsequent 20 yr. A mean increase of 7 kg in body weight was observed over the 20-year period. Medication rates and prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in the men in their 40s increased significantly in correlation with the BMI values in their 20s (men with higher BMI showed higher medication and symptom prevalence rates). The 25.0 or higher BMI group showed a 6.81-fold higher prevalence of hypertension and a 16.62-fold higher prevalence of diabetes than the 18.5-19.9 BMI group. Similarly, men with higher BMI values in their 20s incurred greater outpatient and total medical costs in their 40s. The mean total medical costs in 2009 of men in the 18.5 or lower BMI group in their 20s was 818.7 yen and that for men in the 25.0 or higher BMI group was 5,311.5 yen. Furthermore, men in their 40s showed increased risk of hypertension and diabetes, if their body weight increased by 10 kg or more in the subsequent 20 yr, even when they had BMI values between 20.0 and 24.9 in their 20s. Men with high BMI values in their 20s showed higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes and incurred greater medical costs in their 40s. Even men with a BMI of less than 25.0 in their 20s, showed increases in the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes which were dependent on their weight gain in the subsequent years. Healthcare activities in Japanese corporations based on lifetime employment should promote anti-obesity strategies among young employees and help not only those employees who are obese but also those who are not controlling their weight.