Association between dietary intake of fatty acids, central obesity, and OAB: insights from a prospective cohort for weight management and dietary prevention.

BACKGROUND

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition that affects both men and women, but its relationship with central obesity and the dietary intake has not been adequately elucidated.

OBJECTIVES

Our study aims to investigate associations between central obesity replacement indices, dietary intake of sugar and lipids, and OAB risk using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2016 data.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

This study analyzed 24,675 adults (4848 OAB cases). Weight, body mass index, and other central obesity replacement indices (waist circumference, weight-adjusted waist index, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body roundness index (BRI)) and dietary nutrients intake (carbohydrate, sugars, fat, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and cholesterol) were assessed. Propensity score matching (1:2) balanced covariates. Multivariable logistic regression and generalized additive models evaluated dose-response relationships.

RESULTS

All central obesity indices showed significant positive associations with OAB (p < 0.001), with WHtR and BRI demonstrating the strongest effects (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.80-2.30). Nonlinear relationships were observed, particularly for WHtR (degrees of freedom = 3.30-6.16). Dietary analysis revealed that OAB patients had significantly higher consumption of total energy, carbohydrates, and sugars (all p < 0.05), and higher sugar intake increased OAB risk (OR = 1.32, p = 0.0016), while PUFAs were protective (OR = 0.79, p = 0.0159).

CONCLUSION

Central obesity replacement indices, especially WHtR and BRI, strongly predict OAB risk. Dietary modifications, including reducing sugars and increasing PUFAs intake, may complement abdominal fat reduction for OAB prevention. These findings highlight the importance of combined weight management and dietary modifications for OAB prevention in high-risk populations.