Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and anxiety among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007–2012
Background and aimsAnxiety is a pervasive mental health concern and has evolved into a multifaceted and pressing global health concern. Despite this, the connection between the weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) and anxiety symptoms remains unexplored. Therefore, the objective of this study was to ev...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1530028/full |
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| author | Xiao Liang Kai Chen Yongcan Xia Siyuan Ding Hao Wu Lijuan Huang Zhenlin Chen Yuqian Yan |
| author_facet | Xiao Liang Kai Chen Yongcan Xia Siyuan Ding Hao Wu Lijuan Huang Zhenlin Chen Yuqian Yan |
| author_sort | Xiao Liang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background and aimsAnxiety is a pervasive mental health concern and has evolved into a multifaceted and pressing global health concern. Despite this, the connection between the weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) and anxiety symptoms remains unexplored. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between anxiety symptoms and WWI.MethodsParticipants were recruited from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2007 to 2012. Anxiety was evaluated based on the patients’ self-reported number of anxious days per month. WWI was calculated by dividing the waist circumference (measured in centimeters) by the square root of the weight (measured in kilograms). To examine linear and non-linear associations between the WWI and anxiety, we employed survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression and generalized additive models. Subgroup analyses were also conducted.ResultsThis study comprised 14,677 participants, with 3,745 of them experiencing a state of anxiety. WWI exhibited a positive correlation with anxiety, as evidenced by a fully adjusted odds ratio of 1.11. Upon converting WWI into a categorical variable based on quartiles, participants in the highest quartile had a significantly elevated risk of anxiety compared to those in the lowest quartile. Furthermore, subgroup analyses indicated that the link between WWI and anxiety was more robust among individuals who identified as female, were under 50 years old, were non-Hispanic Black, were separated, were non-smokers, and were non-heavy drinkers.ConclusionThis study uncovered a notable positive correlation between WWI and anxiety, warranting further validation through future research endeavors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bfe18c80d65b415a97b8cef943b87674 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-bfe18c80d65b415a97b8cef943b876742025-08-20T03:25:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-06-011210.3389/fnut.2025.15300281530028Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and anxiety among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007–2012Xiao Liang0Kai Chen1Yongcan Xia2Siyuan Ding3Hao Wu4Lijuan Huang5Zhenlin Chen6Yuqian Yan7Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangyin, ChinaDepartment of Radiotherapy, The First People’s Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, ChinaSchool of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, ChinaMedical Department, Taizhou Fifth People’s Hospital, Taizhou, ChinaMedical Department, Taizhou Fifth People’s Hospital, Taizhou, ChinaChongqing Jiangbei Second People’s Hospital (Chongqing Jiangbei Mental Health Center), Chongqing, ChinaMedical Department, Taizhou Fifth People’s Hospital, Taizhou, ChinaMedical Department, Taizhou Fifth People’s Hospital, Taizhou, ChinaBackground and aimsAnxiety is a pervasive mental health concern and has evolved into a multifaceted and pressing global health concern. Despite this, the connection between the weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) and anxiety symptoms remains unexplored. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between anxiety symptoms and WWI.MethodsParticipants were recruited from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2007 to 2012. Anxiety was evaluated based on the patients’ self-reported number of anxious days per month. WWI was calculated by dividing the waist circumference (measured in centimeters) by the square root of the weight (measured in kilograms). To examine linear and non-linear associations between the WWI and anxiety, we employed survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression and generalized additive models. Subgroup analyses were also conducted.ResultsThis study comprised 14,677 participants, with 3,745 of them experiencing a state of anxiety. WWI exhibited a positive correlation with anxiety, as evidenced by a fully adjusted odds ratio of 1.11. Upon converting WWI into a categorical variable based on quartiles, participants in the highest quartile had a significantly elevated risk of anxiety compared to those in the lowest quartile. Furthermore, subgroup analyses indicated that the link between WWI and anxiety was more robust among individuals who identified as female, were under 50 years old, were non-Hispanic Black, were separated, were non-smokers, and were non-heavy drinkers.ConclusionThis study uncovered a notable positive correlation between WWI and anxiety, warranting further validation through future research endeavors.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1530028/fullanxietyweight-adjusted-waist indexNHANESbody mass index (BMI)waist circumference |
| spellingShingle | Xiao Liang Kai Chen Yongcan Xia Siyuan Ding Hao Wu Lijuan Huang Zhenlin Chen Yuqian Yan Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and anxiety among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007–2012 Frontiers in Nutrition anxiety weight-adjusted-waist index NHANES body mass index (BMI) waist circumference |
| title | Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and anxiety among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007–2012 |
| title_full | Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and anxiety among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007–2012 |
| title_fullStr | Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and anxiety among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007–2012 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and anxiety among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007–2012 |
| title_short | Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and anxiety among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007–2012 |
| title_sort | association between weight adjusted waist index and anxiety among adults in the national health and nutrition examination survey nhanes 2007 2012 |
| topic | anxiety weight-adjusted-waist index NHANES body mass index (BMI) waist circumference |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1530028/full |
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