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

TitleSocial stratification of body weight trajectory in middle-age and older americans: results from a 14-year longitudinal study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsBotoseneanu, A, Liang, J
JournalJ Aging Health
Volume23
Issue3
Pagination454-80
Date Published2011 Apr
ISSN Number1552-6887
KeywordsAge Factors, Aged, Aging, Body Mass Index, ethnicity, Female, Health Status Disparities, Humans, Linear Models, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Multivariate Analysis, Obesity, Psychometrics, Risk Assessment, Self Report, Social Class, Socioeconomic factors, Time Factors, United States
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.

DOI10.1177/0898264310385930
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21068396?dopt=Abstract

Endnote Keywords

Body mass index/Obesity/Middle age/Older people/Gender differences/Racial differences/Health risk assessment

Endnote ID

62440

Alternate JournalJ Aging Health
Citation Key7591
PubMed ID21068396
PubMed Central IDPMC3470852
Grant ListR01 AG028116 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P30 AG024824-07 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG015124-10 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
T32 AG027708-04 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG015124 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
T32 AG027708 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R37 AG015124-05 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
T32-AG027708 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P60-AG08808 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R37 AG015124 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01-AG028116 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01-AG154124 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P30 AG024824 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P60 AG008808 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States