Inverse L-Shaped Association Between Body Mass Index and Myopia in Chinese Schoolchildren: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Purpose

The prevalence of obesity and myopia in young people is increasing worldwide; however, the association between body mass index (BMI) and myopia remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the association between BMI and myopia in Chinese schoolchildren.

Patients and Methods

In this study, the open data for analysis were obtained from DATADRYAD website (www.datadryad.org). A total of 3658 children were enrolled in this study. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between BMI and myopia.

Results

Compared with individuals with lower BMI Q1 (less than 25 kg/m²), the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for BMI and myopia were 2.15 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62–2.86) in Q2 (25.0–29.9 kg/m²) and 2.39 (95% CI: 1.37–4.18) in Q3 (30.0 kg/m² or more). Moreover, the association between BMI and myopia exhibited an inverted L-shaped curve (nonlinear; p < 0.001). When the BMI was <25 kg/m², an increased BMI was significantly associated with a higher risk of myopia (OR = 1.244 [95% CI: 1.211–1.277], p < 0.001). However, when the BMI was ≥25 kg/m², the association lost its significance (OR = 1.063 [95% Cl: 0.964–1.171], p = 0.219).

Conclusion

This study found an inverted L-shaped association between BMI and myopia in Chinese schoolchildren. A higher BMI was associated with a higher risk of myopia reaching 25 kg/m², after which an increase in BMI was no longer associated with an increased risk of myopia.

Keywords:

• myopia
• body mass index
• cross-sectional
• schoolchildren
• logistic regression

Data Sharing Statement

Publicly available datasets were used in this study. These can be found in [DRYAD] at http://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.c2fqz615c, reference number [20].

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

Study approval statement: This study has been granted an exemption from requiring ethics approval by the Ethics Review Board of The Third Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University.

Consent to Participate Statement: This study has been granted an exemption from requiring written informed consent by the Ethics Review Board of The Third Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University.

Acknowledgment

We thank the authors of the article from which our data are cited. We thank those responsible for planning and managing this population-based study and providing the data set.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This data research was funded by the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Y202072).