Higher Body Mass Index At Ages 16 To 20 Years Is Associated With Increased Risk Of A Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis In Subsequent Adulthood Among Men

Background:Evidence for the association between body mass index (BMI) and multiple sclerosis (MS) among men remains mixed.Objective and methods:Swedish military conscription and other registers identified MS after age of 20 years and BMI at ages 16-20 years (N = 744,548).Results:Each unit (kg/m(2)) BMI increase was associated with greater MS risk (hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval = 1.034, 1.016-1.053), independent of physical fitness (1.021, 1.001-1.042). Categorised, overweight and obesity were associated with statistically significant raised MS risk compared to normal weight, but not after adjustment for physical fitness.Conclusion:MS risk rises with increasing BMI, across the entire BMI range.