Objective: To examine the age- and sex-related prevalence and incidence of four obesity subtypes, i.e., general, abdominal, hip, and subcutaneous obesity in a Chinese population. Design and method: This dynamic cohort study included 18,438 participants aged 7-80 years from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1989-2015). We used generalized linear mixed-effects models to estimate age-related trajectories of four obesity indicators, including body-mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness and prevalence of four obesity subtypes based on these indicators. We also estimated the age-related incidence rates of the four obesity subtypes over the lifespan. Results: The prevalence of four obesity subtypes exhibited nonlinear trajectories. General and subcutaneous obesity prevalence peaked earlier (51-60 years) in both sexes, whereas abdominal and hip obesity peaked later (61-70 years). Sex disparities emerged around 50 years, after which females showed significantly higher prevalence of all subtypes. In males, the incidence of all four obesity subtypes peaked at 31-40 years. In females, the incidence of subcutaneous obesity peaked at 31-40 years, while the other three subtypes peaked at 41-50 years. Sex crossover points occurred at around 31-40 years for general and hip obesity, and at 21-30 years for abdominal obesity. Conclusions: Obesity subtypes exhibit distinct lifespan dynamics across the lifespan. These patterns underscore the need for subtype- and life-stage-targeted obesity prevention and intervention strategies.
Chen et al. (Fri,) studied this question.