Figure 4. Cross-sectional associations, causal effect estimates, and longitudinal associations of BMI with systemic metabolites.

Association magnitudes are in units of 1-SD metabolite concentration per 1-kg/m² increment in BMI (cross-sectional associations [white] and causal effect estimates [orange]; n = 12,664), and change in metabolite concentration per 1-kg/m² change in BMI at 6-y follow-up (longitudinal associations [green]; n = 1,488). Associations were adjusted for age and sex, and meta-analyzed for the four cohorts of adolescents and young adults. Colored dots indicate β-regression coefficients, colored shading denotes 95% confidence intervals, and boundaries on the shading indicate p<0.0005. All association magnitudes in absolute concentration units and exact p-values are listed in Table S3. MUFA, monounsaturated fatty acid; PUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acid; SHBG, sex hormone–binding globulin.