Percentage of body fat is associated with increased risk of diverticulosis: A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been indicated to be a risk factor of diverticulosis. However, plausible relationship remained controversial. This cross-sectional study elucidated the association between percentage of body fat and the risk of diverticulosis. METHODS: The study was conducted at a single medical center in Taiwan from 2000–2016 which enrolled 5557 adults with age above 20 years old receiving a health examination including self-reported questionnaires, measurement of percentage of body fat (PBF), blood test and colonoscopy at the Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH). Logistic regressions were used to analyze the association between PBF and diverticulosis. Further stratification of participants was based on age and gender and three extended models were established for multivariable adjustment. RESULTS: 243 of 3141 males and 103 of 2416 females were diagnosed with having diverticulosis. After covariates adjustment, only participants in the highest quartile of PBF (Q4 ≥33.8%) showed significantly positive association with the risk diverticulosis (OR 2.089, p <0.001). In subgroup analysis, the odds ratio for having diverticulosis in females was significantly higher than in males. In addition, We found that the odds ratio of having diverticulosis was higher in the group older than 60 years old compared to the younger group (OR 1.052; p<0.001; OR 1.043; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, PBF was a potential risk factor of diverticulosis. Individuals with higher PBF exhibits increased risk of diverticulosis, especially in females. Furthermore, bioelectrical impedance analysis may create a simple, available and radiation-free way to assess the risk of diverticulosis.