Dynapenic abdominal obesity and the risk of cardiovascular diseases: findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

Background

Dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO) is a health indicator associating with aging-related disease in older adults. However, no research has clarified the impact of DAO on cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We aim to investigate the distribution of DAO status and its association with subsequent CVD in middle-aged and older adults.

Methods

Data were derived from 2011 to 2018 in China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The participants were classified as dynapenic abdominal obesity (D/AO), dynapenic non-abdominal obesity (D/NAO), non-dynapenic abdominal obesity (ND/AO) and non-dynapenic non-abdominal obesity (ND/NAO) based on waist circumference (≥ 90 cm for men or ≥ 85 cm for women) and handgrip strength (<28 kg for men or <18 kg for women). CVD was confirmed by medical diagnosis including heart diseases and stroke. Cox proportional hazards regression models were conducted to examine the effect of different DAO status on CVD.

Results

Among 9150 participants without CVD history, ND/NAO, ND/AO, D/NAO and D/AO accounted for 51.92%, 35.55%, 8.46% and 4.07%, respectively. D/AO (HR 1.63, 95% CI: 1.21–2.20) and ND/AO (HR 1.56, 95% CI: 1.33–1.84) individuals had higher risk of CVD compared to ND/NAO participants. The association between D/AO and ND/AO and risk of CVD were more significant in people less than 65 years old (P = 0.044).

Conclusions

D/AO and ND/AO were both associated with higher risk of CVD among middle-aged and older adults, which was more pronounced in people younger than 65 years old. The presence of dynapenia further increased the risk of CVD in individuals with AO.