Author(s): GRUBER, L., WAGNER, K.H., WESSNER, B., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA, Country: AUSTRIA, Abstract-ID: 2734

INTRODUCTION:
It is assumed that overweight is associated with chronic low-grade systemic inflammation (LGSI), which is considered an early pathophysiological mechanism for later cardiometabolic diseases (1). However, skeletal muscle has been proposed to exert anti-inflammatory effects through endocrine and metabolic mechanisms, and lower muscle strength has been linked to higher inflammatory markers in adults with limited evidence in younger populations (2). This study investigates the relationship between overweight and obesity, muscular strength, cardiometabolic risk and inflammatory markers in 17- to 21-year-old men in Austria during military conscription.
1. PMCID: PMC8315628
2. PMID: 32992047
METHODS:
In this cross-sectional study a sample of 354 young male Austrian conscripts (age: 17.9 ± 0,5 years, height: 1.78 ± 0.07 m, weight: 76.1 ± 16.6 kg) were examined. Muscular strength of upper & lower limbs and trunk was measured with the Myoline DIERS device. Blood parameters and anthropometric data were recorded at the Austrian military draft board. Body composition was measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between BMI and CRP, adjusting for HDL cholesterol, overall strength and BIA Reactance at 50Hz, reflecting cellular membrane integrity and assumed lower in obesity. To avoid confounding, muscular strength was adjusted for BMI using regression residuals. Regression coefficients (B), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and p-values were reported. Model fit was assessed using adjusted R².
RESULTS:
Over 30% of all participants were classified as overweight or obese. BMI was independently associated with CRP concentrations after adjustment for HDL cholesterol, reactance at 50 Hz and overall strength (B = 0.095, 95% CI 0.042 – 0.148, p < 0.001). In contrast, HDL cholesterol was independently and inversely associated with CRP concentrations (B = -1.811, 95% CI -2.687 - -0.935, p < 0.001). BIA reactance at 50 Hz was not significantly associated with CRP (B = -0.030, 95% CI -0.064 – 0.003, p = 0.077). Overall strength was not significantly associated with CRP (B = -0.214, 95% CI -0.467 – 0.038, p = 0.096). The overall model explained 13% of the variance in CRP concentrations (adjusted R² = 0.130).
CONCLUSION:
Increased adiposity seems to be linked to chronic LGSI already in young adulthood. Inverse association between HDL cholesterol and CRP suggests a potential anti-inflammatory role regarding favorable lipid profiles. It is assumed that in late adolescence adiposity may represent a more relevant determinant of LGSI than muscular strength. These findings highlight the early inflammatory impact of excess body weight and accentuate the importance of preventive strategies against obesity in adolescents. As military medical examinations are mandatory for every Austrian male from the age of 17, this setting may provide a valuable opportunity for large-scale early detection and public health interventions.