Prevalence and associated factors of chronic diarrhea among adults with obesity in the United States: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 to 2010

Objective: Diarrhea in populations with obesity is underappreciated and factors associated with chronic diarrhea in individuals with obesity have not been studied. We aimed to analyze the prevalence of chronic diarrhea and associated factors among adults with obesity in a nationally representative population. Methods: Data of adults with obesity in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2005-2010 were analyzed. Chronic diarrhea was defined according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Demographic, lifestyle, dietary, and metabolic factors were considered. Prevalence estimates were described by group, and odds ratios (ORs) for associated factors were calculated in multivariate logistic regression. Results: Overall, 5048 respondents with obesity (weighted sample, 63,493,500) completed the bowel health questionnaire and met eligibility criteria. The chronic diarrhea prevalence in adults with obesity was 8.18 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 7.17 %, 9.19 %). Female sex, older age, obesity severity, high dietary sugar intake, depression, and history of diabetes or prediabetes were positively correlated with chronic diarrhea. Differences occurred in the distribution of associated factors between males and females. Conclusion: The overall chronic diarrhea prevalence in adults with obesity was 8.18 % in the nationally representative US population. We identified sex differences in associated demographic, dietary, and metabolic factors with chronic diarrhea in adults with obesity.