Changes in Abdominal Obesity and Age-Related Macular Degeneration The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between changes in waist-hip ratio (WHR), a measure of abdominal obesity, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: A total of 12 515 persons from a population-based cohort study, aged 45 to 64 years in 1987 to 1989, were followed up over 6 years. The percentage change in WHR during follow-up was ranked into sex-specific deciles; an increase in WHR was defined as the top 10% of change and a decrease in WHR as the bottom 10%. The association of increased or decreased WHR and presence of AMD at follow-up was determined using logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: The average change in WHR was an increase of 2%, ranging..