EXPLORING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BODY MASS INDEX AND HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION AMONG ASYMPTOMATIC ATHLETES: A LARGE-SCALE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

The correlation between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Helicobacter pylori infection rates in overweight, obese, and normal-weight asymptomatic athletes is a burgeoning area of interest, given the unique dietary and health dynamics of this population. This extensive cross-sectional study assessed 41,454 athletes who underwent medical evaluations for H. pylori from January 2013 to December 2017. The study aimed to analyze the association across different BMI categories—underweight, normal, pre-obese, and obese. The findings revealed a progressive increase in H. pylori prevalence with an increase in BMI: 42.5% in underweight, 48.0% in normal weight, 50.7% in pre-obese, and 54.9% in obese individuals. Statistical analysis indicated a significant correlation (OR = 1.15; 95%CI 1.10 to 1.20; p < 0.001) between pre-obesity/obesity and higher H. pylori infection rates compared to their normal-weight counterparts. Moreover, each unit increase in BMI was associated with a 4% increase in the odds of H. pylori infection (OR = 1.04; 95%CI 1.03 to 1.06; P < 0.001). Interestingly, this association did not hold for athletes under 30 years of age (OR = 1.01; 95%CI 0.99 to 1.03; P=0.282), suggesting age-specific interactions. This study underscores the need for targeted gastrointestinal health strategies in athletic populations, particularly those who are older and have higher BMI, to mitigate the risk and implications of H. pylori infections.