Sex differences in the non-linear association between BMI and LDL cholesterol in middle-aged and older adults: findings from two nationally representative surveys in China

BACKGROUND: The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has not been clearly elucidated in middle-aged and older adults. This study aimed to evaluate the non-linear dose-response relationship between BMI and LDL-C in males and females. METHODS: Data was obtained from two nationally representative surveys in China—the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS, 2009) and China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011–2012). To evaluate the sex differences in the association between BMI and LDL-C, the generalized additive models with a smooth function for continuous BMI and smooth-factor interaction for sexes with BMI were used. Segmented regressions were fitted to calculate the slopes with different estimated breakpoints among females and males. RESULTS: A total of 12,273 participants (47.1% male) aged 45 to 75 years were included. The generalized additive models revealed that a non-linear relationship between BMI and LDL-C level in both sexes after adjustment for age, residence, education levels, marital status, drinking, smoking status, and cohort (CHNS or CHARLS). Slopes of the association between BMI and LDL-C association changed at BMI 20.3 kg/m(2) (95% CI: 18.8 to 21.8) in females and 27.1 kg/m(2) (95% CI: 25. 8 to 28.4) in males. Below these BMI breakpoints, LDL-C levels increased 1.84 (95% CI: 1.45 to 2.31) in males and 3.49 (95% CI: 1.54 to 5.45) mg/dL per kg/m(2) in females. However, LDL-C levels declined − 1.50 (95% CI: − 2.92 to − 0.09) mg/dL per kg/m(2) above BMI of 27.1 kg/m(2) in males. The non-linear association BMI and LDL-C in males and females was varied by cohort source, age groups, and the number of metabolic syndrome criteria. CONCLUSIONS: In the Chinese middle aged and older adults, the BMI and LDL-C relationship was inverted U-shaped with a high level of LDL-C at a BMI of 27.1 kg/m(2) in males, and an approximately linear association was observed in females. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12944-021-01591-w.