Association between kimchi consumption and obesity based on BMI and abdominal obesity in Korean adults: a cross-sectional analysis of the Health Examinees study

Abstract

Objective Previous animal studies have shown the anti-obesity effect of kimchi-derived probiotic lactic acid bacteria. However, only a few epidemiological studies have investigated the association between kimchi consumption and obesity. Therefore, we aim to assess this relationship in Korean adults.Design Cross-sectional study.Setting The Health Examinees study was conducted from 2004 to 2013.Participants This study analysed 115 726 participants aged 40–69 years enrolled in the Health Examinees study in Korea.Primary and secondary outcome measures Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, and abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference ≥90 cm in men and ≥85 cm in women. Kimchi consumption was assessed by the validated food frequency questionnaire.Results In men, total kimchi consumption of 1–3 servings/day was related to a lower prevalence of obesity (OR: 0.875 in 1–2 servings/day and OR: 0.893 in 2–3 servings/day) compared with total kimchi consumption of <1 serving/day. Also, men with the highest baechu kimchi (cabbage kimchi) consumption had 10% lower odds of obesity and abdominal obesity. Participants who consumed kkakdugi (radish kimchi) ≥median were inversely associated with 8% in men and 11% in women with lower odds of abdominal obesity compared with non-consumers, respectively.Conclusions and relevance Consumption of 1–3 servings/day of total kimchi was associated with a lower risk of obesity in men. Baechu kimchi was associated with a lower prevalence of obesity in men, and kkakdugi was associated with a lower prevalence of abdominal obesity in both men and women. However, since all results showed a ‘J-shaped’ association, it is recommended to limit excessive kimchi intake.