PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Al-Wutayd, Osama A.
AU  - Mohamed, Ashri G.
AU  - Saeedi, Jameelah A.
AU  - Alotaibi, Hessa S.
AU  - Al Jumah, Mohammed A.
TI  - Association between obesity during different age periods and multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia: A multicenter case–control study
AID  - 10.17712/nsj.2022.2.20210121
DP  - 2022 Apr 01
TA  - Neurosciences Journal
PG  - 87--93
VI  - 27
IP  - 2
4099  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/27/2/87.short
4100  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/27/2/87.full
SO  - Neurosciences (Riyadh)2022 Apr 01; 27
AB  - 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’s standard body silhouettes to determine the participants’ 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 6–9) and body size 5 during intermediate school were associated with an increased risk of MS (AOR: 3.75, 95% CI: 1.10–12.78 and AOR: 3.75, 95% CI: 1.41–10, respectively). The smallest body size (1) during intermediate school was associated with a lower risk of MS (AOR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17–0.90) compared to body size 3.Conclusion: Overweight and obesity during the intermediate school period (ages 13–15 years) are associated with an increased risk of MS, particularly among females.