@article {Al-Wutayd87, author = {Osama A. Al-Wutayd and Ashri G. Mohamed and Jameelah A. Saeedi and Hessa S. Alotaibi and Mohammed A. Al Jumah}, title = {Association between obesity during different age periods and multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia: A multicenter case{\textendash}control study}, volume = {27}, number = {2}, pages = {87--93}, year = {2022}, doi = {10.17712/nsj.2022.2.20210121}, publisher = {Neurosciences Journal}, abstract = {Objectives: To determine whether body size in different age periods is associated with an increased risk of MS in Saudi Arabia.Methods: This study included 307 MS patients and 307 healthy controls from clinics and hospital wards in three cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam) in Saudi Arabia (2016-2017). We used Stunkard{\textquoteright}s standard body silhouettes to determine the participants{\textquoteright} body sizes (from 1 to 9) during different age periods (school levels). We calculated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95\% confidence intervals (CIs) and performed multivariable analysis adjusted for age and gender.Results: Large body sizes (silhouettes 6{\textendash}9) and body size 5 during intermediate school were associated with an increased risk of MS (AOR: 3.75, 95\% CI: 1.10{\textendash}12.78 and AOR: 3.75, 95\% CI: 1.41{\textendash}10, respectively). The smallest body size (1) during intermediate school was associated with a lower risk of MS (AOR: 0.39, 95\% CI: 0.17{\textendash}0.90) compared to body size 3.Conclusion: Overweight and obesity during the intermediate school period (ages 13{\textendash}15 years) are associated with an increased risk of MS, particularly among females.}, URL = {https://nsj.org.sa/content/27/2/87}, eprint = {https://nsj.org.sa/content/27/2/87.full.pdf}, journal = {Neurosciences Journal} }