Imaging-based body fat distribution and diabetic retinopathy in general US population with diabetes: an NHANES analysis (2003–2006 and 2011–2018)

Background Limited studies have investigated the correlation between fat distribution and the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in the general population with diabetes. The relationship between obesity and DR remains inconclusive, possibly due to using simple anthropometric measures to define obesity. This study investigates the relationships between the android-to-gynoid fat ratio (A/G ratio, measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and DR within the US population with diabetes. Methods The study used a population-based, cross-sectional approach based on the 2003–2006 and 2011–2018 data of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed on participants with diabetes to evaluate the contribution of body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and A/G ratio to the prevalence of DR. Results The prevalence of DR was 22.2, 21.2, and 17.6% among participants with A/G ratios