Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

Objective: To describe the determinants of 12-year weight change among a cohort of middle-aged women. Methods: In 1991/1992, 49,259 women across Sweden were recruited into a cohort. In 2003, 34,402 (73%) completed a followup survey. Demographic, lifestyle and health characteristics, including weight were collected using baseline and follow-up surveys and twelve-year weight change and substantial weight gain (�+5.0 kilogram [kg]) were calculated; association between baseline characteristics and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of substantial weight gain were estimated. Results: The majority (81%) of women experienced weight gain during the twelve-year follow-up. Being above average weight (64.5 kg) at baseline [OR =1.20, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.26] and smoking 1-9 [OR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.20], 10-19 [OR=1.30, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.39], or �20 cigarettes daily [OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.32] increased a woman�s odds of experiencing a substantial weight gain. However, risk of substantial weight gain was reduced among women 45-50 years of age [OR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.85], women reporting high alcohol consumption [OR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.83, 0.98], and those with medium [OR=0.93, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.00] or high [OR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.90] physical activity levels. Smoking cessation (OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.68, 2.11) and decreasing physical activity (OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.48, 1.68) were associated with increased odds of substantial weight gain as compared to women who reported no smoking at baseline and follow-up and women who reported no changes in physical activity, respectively. Conclusions: The majority of women experienced weight gain during middle-age. Women who start middle-age at an above average weight or as a cigarette smoker may be uniquely challenged in their weight management efforts, highlighting the value of populationspecific determinants of weight gain in guiding obesity prevention efforts in women.

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