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. 2011 Apr;23(3):454-80.
doi: 10.1177/0898264310385930. Epub 2010 Nov 10.

Social stratification of body weight trajectory in middle-age and older americans: results from a 14-year longitudinal study

Anda Botoseneanu  1 , Jersey Liang
Affiliations

Social stratification of body weight trajectory in middle-age and older americans: results from a 14-year longitudinal study

Anda Botoseneanu et al. J Aging Health. 2011 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: To depict the trajectory of BMI from middle to late adulthood and to examine social variations in BMI trajectories.

Method: Eight waves (1992-2006) of the Health and Retirement Study involving a nationally representative sample of Americans aged 51 to 61 years at baseline were used. Changes in BMI were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling with time-constant and time-varying covariates.

Results: BMI increased linearly over time. Compared with Caucasians, African-Americans had higher BMI levels, while Hispanics had similar BMI levels, but lower rates of increase over time. Higher education predicted lower BMI levels and was not associated with the rate of change. Younger age-at-baseline predicted lower BMI level and lower rate of increase. No gender differences were found.

Discussion: Observed racial/ethnic and educational differences in BMI trajectory from middle to old age inform policies and interventions aimed at modifying health risks and reducing health disparities in old age.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors have no financial or other kinds of personal conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
BMI Trajectory by Racial/Ethnic Group and Age-at-Baselinea. a Graph derived based on M4 (Table 3).
Figure 2
Figure 2
BMI Trajectory by Years-of-Education Completed and Age-at-Baselinea. a Graph derived based on M4 (Table 3).
Figure 3
Figure 3
BMI Trajectory by Age-at-Baseline in 1992a. a Graph derived based on M4 (Table 3).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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