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Social support and trajectories of body mass index and waist to hip ratio from mid-adulthood to old age.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Although social networks' influence on obesity has been increasingly recognised, it remains unclear if different dimensions of social support, for example, emotional or practical support, received from one's closest relationship are associated with weight outcomes over mid-life and old age. METHODS:Using linear mixed models we examined whether person-level body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) trajectories vary according to levels of emotional, practical and negative aspects of social support in a large UK-based cohort of healthy civil servant workers (n=5460) with objectively measured anthropometry data on five occasions over two decades (1989-1990 to 2012-2013). RESULTS:We found that gender modified the associations, with more consistent patterns found in men. In men, high negative aspects of support compared with low were consistently associated with steeper increase in BMI (0.024, 95%?CI 0.001 to 0.047?kg/m2) and WHR (0.00020, 95%?CI -0.00001 to 0.00040) after adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic covariates, mental health, health behaviours and long-standing illness. We found that low emotional support, compared with high, was associated with steeper BMI gain in men (0.024, 95%?CI 0.0001 to 0.047?kg/m2). CONCLUSIONS:Low levels of negative aspects of the relationships with the closest person and high levels of emotional support may be protective against weight gain over time, particularly in men. If replicated in other studies, these results would suggest that the quality of social support in close relationships has been an overlooked risk factor for weight gain in an ageing population.

SUBMITTER: Tymoszuk U

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7441226 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Social support and trajectories of body mass index and waist to hip ratio from mid-adulthood to old age.

Tymoszuk Urszula U Kumari Meena M Batterham Rachel R Stafford Mai M

Journal of epidemiology and community health 20181031 2

<h4>Background</h4>Although social networks' influence on obesity has been increasingly recognised, it remains unclear if different dimensions of social support, for example, emotional or practical support, received from one's closest relationship are associated with weight outcomes over mid-life and old age.<h4>Methods</h4>Using linear mixed models we examined whether person-level body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) trajectories vary according to levels of emotional, practical an ...[more]

PMID: 30381465

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Project description:BackgroundWaist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) are all independent predictors of cardio-metabolic risk and therefore important in HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy at risk of increased visceral adiposity. This study aimed to assess the extent of agreement between these parameters and the body mass index (BMI), as anthropometric parameters and in classifying cardio-metabolic risk in HIV/AIDS patients.MethodsA secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional study involving 200 HIV/AIDS patients was done. Anthropometric parameters were measured from participants using standard guidelines and central obesity defined according to recommended criteria. Increased cardio-metabolic risk was defined according to the standard cut-off values for all four parameters. Data were analyzed using STATA version 14.1.ResultsThe prevalence of WC-defined central obesity, WHR-defined central obesity and WHtR > 0.50 were 33.5%, 44.5% and 36.5%, respectively. The prevalence of BMI-defined overweight and obesity was 40.5%. After adjusting for gender and HAART status, there was a significant linear association and correlation between WC and BMI (regression equation: WC (cm) = 37.184 + 1.756 BMI (Kg/m2) + 0.825 Male + 1.002 HAART, (p < 0.001, r = 0.65)), and between WHtR and BMI (regression equation: WHtR = 0.223 + 0.011 BMI (Kg/m2)- 0.0153 Male + 0.003 HAART, (p < 0.001, r = 0.65)), but not between WHR and BMI (p = 0.097, r = 0.13). There was no agreement between the WC, WHtR and BMI, and minimal agreement between the WHR and BMI, in identifying patients with an increased cardio-metabolic risk.ConclusionDespite the observed linear association and correlation between these anthropometric parameters, the routine use of WC, WHR and WHtR as better predictors of cardio-metabolic risk should be encouraged in these patients, due to their minimal agreement with BMI in identifying HIV/AIDS patients with increased cardio-metabolic risk. HAART status does not appear to significantly affect the association between these anthropometric parameters.

Project description:BackgroundChildren with overweight or obesity are at greatly increased risk of experiencing obesity in adulthood but for reasons generally unknown some attain a healthier adult weight. This qualitative study investigated individual, social and environmental factors that might explain diverging body mass index (BMI) trajectories. This knowledge could underpin interventions to promote healthy weight.MethodsThis 2016 study included participants from three adult follow-ups of children who (when 7-15 years) participated in the 1985 Australian Schools Health and Fitness Survey and provided BMI data at each time point. Trajectory-based group modelling identified five BMI trajectories: stable below average, stable average, increasing from average, increasing from very high and decreasing from very high. Between six and 12 participants (38-46 years) from each BMI trajectory group were interviewed (n = 50; 60% women). Thematic analysis guided by a social-ecological framework explored individual, social and environmental influences on diet and physical activity within the work setting.ResultsA distinct approach to healthy behaviour was principally identified in the stable and decreasing BMI groups - we term this approach "health identity" (exemplified by "I love having a healthy lifestyle"). This concept was predominant in the stable or decreasing BMI groups when participants explained why work colleagues seemingly did not influence their health behaviour. Participants in the stable and decreasing BMI groups also more commonly reported, bringing home-prepared lunches to work, working or being educated in a health-related field, having a physically active job or situating physical activity within and around work - the latter three factors were common among those who appeared to have a more distinct "health identity". Alcohol, workplace food culture (e.g. morning teas), and work-related stress appeared to influence weight-related behaviours, but generally these factors were similarly discussed across all trajectory groups.ConclusionWork-related factors may influence weight or weight-related behaviours, irrespective of BMI trajectory, but the concept of an individual's "health identity" may help to explain divergent BMI trajectories. "Health identity" and its influence on health behaviour warrants further exploratory work.

Dataset Information

Social support and trajectories of body mass index and waist to hip ratio from mid-adulthood to old age.

Publications

Social support and trajectories of body mass index and waist to hip ratio from mid-adulthood to old age.

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