Association Between Fat Distribution And Cataracts In Men - Brief Article

Nutrition Research Newsletter, Jan, 2001

Cataracts are the cause of nearly half of the world's incidence of blindness. Epidemiologic studies have shown an increased risk of cataract with high body weights. Most studies, have utilized body mass index (BMI) in determining this risk; however, other anthropometric measures that may be relevant have not been studied in relation to cataract development.

The goal of a recent study was to evaluate alternative measures of body size on the development of cataracts in men. A prospective study was conducted utilizing 17,150 men who participated in the Physicians' Health Study. Subjects were eligible if they had not been diagnosed with cataracts at baseline. Subjects were sent and completed mailed questionnaires every six months for the duration of the first year and then annually until diagnosis of cataract, death, or until the end of the study in 1997. Height and weight were self-reported at baseline and weight was then updated annually starting at year eight. BMI was calculated for all weight measurements. Along with the nine-year questionnaire, subjects were sent a tape measure with instructions for measuring their waist and hip circumference. Annually the participants were asked whether during the previous year, they had a cataract diagnosed. Incidence of cataract was confirmed if substantiated by review of medical records. Average length of follow-up was 14 years.

Among the 17,150 subjects, there were 1727 confirmed incidents of cataracts. Following regression analysis that adjusted for many known or suspected risk factors, higher BMI, greater height, and greater waist to hip ratio were each independently found to be associated with incident of cataract.

From this research it can be concluded that in addition to BMI, height and abdominal adiposity are independently associated with increased risk of developing cataract. Lifestyle modifications aimed at reducing abdominal obesity, as well as overall BMI, may be beneficial in preventing cataracts.

D. Schaumberg, R. Glynn, W. Christen, et al. Relations of body fat distribution and height with cataract in men. Am J Clin Nutr;72:1495-1502 (December, 2000) [Correspondence: D.A. Schaumberg, Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 900 Commonwealth Avenue East, Boston, MA 02215. E-mail: dschaumberg@rics.bwh.harvard.edu].