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Pedersen DC, Aarestrup J, Blond K, Jensen BW, Andersen ZJ, Mellemkjær L, Tjønneland A, Baker JL. Trajectories of body mass index across the lifecourse and associations with post-menopausal breast cancer by estrogen receptor status. Cancer Epidemiol 2023; 87:102479. [PMID: 37897969 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2023.102479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Associations between a high body mass index (BMI) at single timepoints during child- and adulthood and risks of post-menopausal breast cancer are well-established, but associations with BMI across the lifecourse remains largely unknown. Therefore, we examined whether lifecourse BMI trajectories were associated with risks of post-menopausal breast cancer overall and by estrogen receptor (ER) status. METHODS We included 6698 Danish women born 1930-1946. Information on BMI at ages 6-15 years came from the Copenhagen School Health Records Register, and information on BMI at ages 20, 30, 40, 50 and/or 50-64 years came from the Diet, Cancer and Health cohort. Breast cancer cases (n = 577) were identified in the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group database. Six BMI trajectories were identified using latent class trajectory modelling. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox regression models. RESULTS Compared to women with a trajectory characterized by an average BMI gain across life, women with the two trajectories with steep increases in BMI during childhood and adolescence that thereafter largely stabilized, had lower risks of post-menopausal breast cancer and ER-positive tumors. The adjusted HRs for ER-positive tumors were 0.67 (95% CI: 0.47-0.95) and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.46-1.01), respectively. In contrast, women with a trajectory with a low gain in BMI during childhood and adolescence followed by a subsequent steep increase during adulthood, had higher risks of post-menopausal breast cancer and ER-positive tumors when compared to women with an average BMI gain. The adjusted HR for ER-positive tumors was 1.28 (95% CI: 0.98-1.67). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the timing of excess gain in BMI across the lifecourse impacts subsequent post-menopausal breast cancer risks. Thus, the BMI development across life is likely useful in the identification of women at increased risks of post-menopausal breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorthe C Pedersen
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julie Aarestrup
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kim Blond
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Britt W Jensen
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zorana J Andersen
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Anne Tjønneland
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jennifer L Baker
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Dang Y, Duan X, Rong P, Yan M, Zhao Y, Mi B, Zhou J, Chen Y, Wang D, Pei L. Life-course social disparities in body mass index trajectories across adulthood: cohort study evidence from China health and nutrition survey. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1955. [PMID: 37814213 PMCID: PMC10563291 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16881-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The social disparities in obesity may originate in early life or in adulthood, and the associations of socioeconomic position (SEP) with obesity could alter over time. It is unclear how lifetime-specific and life-course SEP influence adult obesity development in China. METHODS Based on the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), three SEP-related indicators, including the father's occupational position and the participant's education and occupational position, were obtained. The life-course socioeconomic changes and a cumulative SEP score were established to represent the life-course SEP of the participants in the study. The growth mixture modeling was used to identify BMI trajectories in adulthood. Multinomial logistic regression was adopted to assess the associations between SEP and adult BMI trajectories. RESULTS A total of 3,138 participants were included in the study. A positive correlation was found between the paternal occupational position, the participants' occupational position, education, and obesity in males, whereas an inverse correlation was observed among females. Males who experienced social upward mobility or remained stable high SEP during the follow-up had 2.31 and 2.52-fold risks of progressive obesity compared to those with a stable-low SEP. Among females, stable high SEP in both childhood and adulthood was associated with lower risks of progressive obesity (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.43-0.94). Higher risks of obesity were associated with the life-course cumulative SEP score among males, while the opposite relationship was observed among females. CONCLUSIONS The associations between life-course SEP and BMI development trajectories differed significantly by gender. Special emphasis should be placed on males experiencing upward and stable high socioeconomic change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusong Dang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Xinyu Duan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Peixi Rong
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Mingxin Yan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Yaling Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Baibing Mi
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospitical of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Yulong Chen
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, 710021, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Duolao Wang
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Leilei Pei
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, P.R. China.
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Dai Y, Zhang J, Wang Z, Ding J, Xu S, Zhang B, Guo J, Qi X, Chang X, Wu C, Zhou Z. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in umbilical cord serum and body mass index trajectories from birth to age 10 years: Findings from a longitudinal birth cohort (SMBCS). Environ Int 2023; 180:108238. [PMID: 37783122 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been linked to low birth weight but higher childhood weight and obesity. However, little is known regarding the associations between PFAS exposure and dynamic body mass index (BMI) trajectories, particularly from birth through preadolescence. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the associations of cord serum PFAS concentrations with BMI trajectories from birth to age 10 years and longitudinal BMI in different periods. METHODS Based on 887 mother-child pairs in the longitudinal prospective birth cohort, we measured 12 PFAS congeners in cord serum and calculated BMI with anthropometric indicators at 9 follow-up time points from birth to age 10 years. The BMI trajectories were identified using group-based trajectory model (GBTM). To estimate the associations of cord serum PFAS levels with BMI trajectories and longitudinal changes in BMI, logistic regression models, linear mixed models, Bayesian kernel machine regression, and quantile-based g-computation models (QGC) were used. RESULTS The median concentrations of 10 PFAS congeners included in statistical analysis ranged from 0.047 to 3.623 μg/L. Two BMI trajectory classes were identified by GBTM, characterized by high group and low group. In logistic regression models, five PFAS congeners (PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHpS, and PFDoDA) were associated with the higher probability of being in high BMI trajectory group (odds ratio, OR: 1.21 to 1.74, p < 0.05). Meanwhile, higher PFAS mixture were related to elevated odds for the high group in both BKMR models and QGC models, with PFHpA and PFHpS being the two most important drivers jointly. In the sex-stratified analysis, the positive associations remained significant exclusively among males. In the longitudinal analysis, PFUnDA and PFDoDA were associated with increased BMI from birth to age 10 years. Furthermore, PFBS and PFHpA were negatively related to BMI throughout infancy and toddlerhood (from birth to age 3 years), whereas PFDoDA confirmed a positive association with mid-childhood (from age 6 to 10 years) BMI. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal PFAS exposure was positively associated with BMI trajectories from birth to preadolescence and longitudinal BMI in various periods. Future research could use better trajectory modeling strategies to shape more complete growth trajectories and explore the relationship between BMI trajectories and adulthood health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Dai
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Zheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiayun Ding
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Sinan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Boya Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jianqiu Guo
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiaojuan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 3399 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou 310051, China
| | - Xiuli Chang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chunhua Wu
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhijun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Sharma T, Morassut RE, Langlois C, Meyre D. Body mass index trajectories and their predictors in undergraduate students from Canada: Results from the GENEiUS study. J Am Coll Health 2022:1-9. [PMID: 35930409 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2103384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To explore the patterns and predictors of body mass index (BMI) change among undergraduate students from Ontario (Canada). Participants: 68 undergraduate students were followed longitudinally for 3 years with anthropometric data collected bi-annually. Methods: BMI measurements were plotted to generate individual BMI trajectory curves, which were categorized, based on the observed trajectory pattern. Within and between group comparisons of BMI were conducted via nonparametric paired tests. The association of baseline BMI, sex, and ethnicity with BMI trajectory type was assessed using multinomial logistic regression. Results: Four BMI trajectory types were observed: "stable weight" (n = 15, 22.1%), "weight gain" (n = 30, 44.1%), "weight loss" (n = 12, 17.6%), and "weight cycling" (n = 11, 16.2%) trajectories. Higher baseline BMI was significantly associated with the "weight gain," "weight loss," and the "weight cycling" trajectories as compared to the "stable weight" trajectory type. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate an association between high baseline BMI and "nonstable" subsequent BMI change patterns among Canadian students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanmay Sharma
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Rita E Morassut
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Christine Langlois
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - David Meyre
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Division of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Nutrition, University Hospital of Nancy, Nancy, France
- Faculty of Medicine of Nancy INSERM UMR_S 1256, Nutrition, Genetics, and Environmental Risk Exposure, University of Lorraine, Nancy, France
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Zheng H, Echave P, Mehta N, Myrskylä M. Life-long body mass index trajectories and mortality in two generations. Ann Epidemiol 2021; 56:18-25. [PMID: 33493649 PMCID: PMC8009819 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify life-long body mass index (BMI) trajectories across two related generations and estimate their associated mortality risks and population attributable deaths. METHODS We use prospective cohort data from the Framingham Heart Study (1948-2011) original (4576 individuals, 3913 deaths) and offspring (3753 individuals, 967 deaths) cohorts and latent trajectory models to model BMI trajectories from age 31 to 80 years. Survival models are used to estimate trajectory-specific mortality risk. RESULTS We define seven BMI trajectories among original cohort and six among offspring cohort. Among original cohort, people who are normal weight at age 31 years and gradually move to overweight status in middle or later adulthood have the lowest mortality risk even compared to those who maintain normal weight throughout adulthood, followed by overweight stable, lower level of normal weight, overweight downward, class I obese upward, and class II/III upward trajectories. Mortality risks associated with obesity trajectories have declined across cohorts, while the prevalence of high-risk trajectories has increased. CONCLUSIONS The mortality impact of weight gain depends on an individual's BMI trajectory. Population attributable deaths associated with unhealthy weight trajectories have grown over generations because the prevalence has increased, offsetting the decline in trajectory-specific mortality risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zheng
- Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
| | | | - Neil Mehta
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Mikko Myrskylä
- Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany
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Jayne JM, Blake CE, Frongillo EA, Liese AD, Cai B, Nelson DA, Kurina LM, Funderburk L. Trajectories of body mass index among active-duty U.S. Army soldiers, 2011-2014. Prev Med Rep 2019; 14:100818. [PMID: 30805278 PMCID: PMC6374524 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2019.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Establishing the shape and determinants of trajectories of body mass index (BMI) among Soldiers is critical given the importance of weight management to military service requirements. To establish the shape and determinants of BMI trajectories among Soldiers, we aimed to (1) model the overall BMI trajectory of Soldiers, (2) find the most common trajectory groups among Soldiers, (3) investigate the relationship between BMI trajectories and sociodemographic and military-specific characteristics, and (4) determine if there were Soldiers with large fluctuations in BMI. The study population included all US Army Soldiers on active-duty between 2011 and 2014 who were age 17–62 (n = 827,126). With longitudinal data from the Stanford Military Data Repository, we used group-based trajectory modeling to identify the BMI trajectories of Soldiers and multinomial logistic regression to estimate associations between Soldier characteristics and trajectory membership. Four distinct BMI trajectory groups were found: increasing, decreasing, constant, and inconstant. The constant, increasing, and decreasing trajectories were similar in shape and percentage between men and women. The constant trajectory had the fewest Soldiers who exceeded weight standards or had duty limitations. The increasing trajectory was associated with marriage and fewer service years. The decreasing trajectory was associated with more service years and higher educational attainment. The inconstant trajectory differed in shape between men and women. Over 6% of men and 12% of women had fluctuations in BMI indicative of weight cycling. Understanding the characteristics associated with BMI trends may assist the Army in targeting resources aimed to improve Soldier health and combat readiness. Four BMI trajectory groups were found: increasing, decreasing, constant, inconstant. The constant trajectory had the fewest Soldiers who exceeded weight standards. The increasing trajectory was associated with marriage and fewer service years. The decreasing trajectory was associated with more service years and education. 6% of men and 12% of women had fluctuations in BMI indicative of weight cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianna M Jayne
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29201, USA.,Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 10 General Green Avenue, Natick, MA 01760, USA
| | - Christine E Blake
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29201, USA
| | - Edward A Frongillo
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29201, USA
| | - Angela D Liese
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29201, USA
| | - Bo Cai
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29201, USA
| | - D Alan Nelson
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Lianne M Kurina
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - LesLee Funderburk
- Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97346, Waco, TX 76798, USA
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Fang C, Liang Y. Social disparities in body mass index (BMI) trajectories among Chinese adults in 1991-2011. Int J Equity Health 2017; 16:146. [PMID: 28814339 PMCID: PMC5559788 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-017-0636-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Obesity is a serious public health problem in China. The relationship between obesity and socio-economic status (SES) is changing and affected by uncertainty, particularly, in developing countries. The sex-related differences in body mass index (BMI) trajectories are controversial and require substantial empirical data for updating and enriching. Methods This study examined the relationship between SES and BMI in Chinese adults from a dynamic perspective using longitudinal data (1991–2011) from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Then, sex-related differences were determined. A hierarchical linear model was used. Results SES positively affected the male BMI changes, with faster BMI growth rates in the high-SES males over the past 20 years. By contrast, female BMI was only affected by BMI baseline and residential area. Specifically, greater BMI baseline led to greater BMI growth rate and earlier BMI decline. In the past 20 years, the BMI growth rate has been greater in the urban females than in the rural females. Conclusions The relationship between SES and obesity is complex in China, and a substantial sex-related difference exists. We argue that this large sex-related difference is due to the rapid economic and social changes that have affected national health and increased the gender inequality and social role restrictions in females. We provide insights for further research and policy recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changchun Fang
- School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying Liang
- School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
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Morrissey TW. Trajectories of growth in body mass index across childhood: Associations with maternal and paternal employment. Soc Sci Med 2012; 95:60-8. [PMID: 22795914 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2012] [Revised: 04/30/2012] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Research links mothers' employment to higher body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight-for-height, among their children. However, how maternal employment patterns relate to their children's BMI trajectories, and the role that fathers' employment plays in when and at what rate children grow, remain unclear. With data on children from 2 to 15 years of age living in two-parent families from the U.S. NICHD's Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N = 1107), individual growth models are used to describe American children's BMI trajectories as predicted by maternal and paternal employment characteristics. Results indicate that, by age 15, children's BMIs are, on average, nearly one-half of a standard deviation above recommended levels, and the majority of growth occurs during the preschool period. The duration of maternal employment, and combined measures of maternal and paternal employment duration, are both associated with higher child BMI across childhood. Associations are small but cumulative. Notably, the association between the duration of time children lived in dual-earner families and child BMI is larger than that between maternal employment duration alone and children's BMI, which is strongest during the preschool period. Combined measures of maternal and paternal employment intensity, defined as the number of periods both parents worked 35 or more hours per week, are associated with higher child BMI during the preschool period only. Findings highlight the importance of taking into account both parents' employment characteristics in investigating children's physical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taryn W Morrissey
- Department of Public Administration and Policy, School of Public Affairs, American University, Ward Circle Building, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA.
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