Association between body roundness index and constipation using data from NHANES 2005–2010

Obesity, particularly visceral fat, is a well-established risk factor for various gastrointestinal disorders, including constipation, possibly due to its metabolic and hormonal effects on bowel motility, though the mechanisms remain unclear. The Body Roundness Index (BRI), a novel and reliable anthropometric measure, has been validated as a precise indicator of visceral fat. However, its relationship with constipation remains uncertain. This population-based, cross-sectional study analyzed data from 6,898 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2005-2010) to assess this association. Binary logistic regression analyses, adjusted for multiple covariates, revealed that higher BRI levels were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of constipation. Participants in the highest quartile had 32% lower odds of constipation than those in the lowest quartile (adjusted OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.54-0.86; P: 0.0013). As this was a cross-sectional study, the findings indicate an association between BRI levels and constipation rather than causality. These results suggest that BRI could be a practical and accessible marker for identifying individuals with different susceptibility to constipation, potentially aiding clinical assessment and guiding preventive strategies.