Prevalence and correlates of large weight gains and losses

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To examine the prevalence and correlates of large weight gains and losses over a 3 y period in a heterogeneous population of participants in a study of weight gain prevention. DESIGN AND MEASURES: Analyses based on a cohort of 823 participants in a weight gain prevention study whose weight was measured on at least two of four annual examinations. RESULTS: Weight gains and losses of ! 5% body weight over 1 y were observed in 9.3 and 15% of the population, respectively. Weight gains among those initially losing weight were significantly greater (3.9 kg) than among those experiencing stable weight (0.8 kg) or a large weight gain (1.5 kg) over the following 2 y. Cumulative weight changes over 3 y were 7 2.6, 1.0 and 7.6 kg among large loss, weight stable and large gain groups, respectively. Large weight loss was more common in smokers, large gains were more common in younger people and in those with a more extensive weight loss history, and stable weight was observed more often in individuals with less extensive histories of weight loss. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of large short-term weight gains and losses in this heterogeneous population, their apparent resistance to short-term reversal, and the strength of their relationship to longer-term weight trends suggest that rapid weight change over relatively short time intervals is a phenomenon that deserves more research attention. Short periods of rapid weight gain may contribute importantly to rapidly rising obesity rates.

The definition of weight maintenance

“…The majority (23) defined weight maintenance using absolute weight change as the metric although several used percent baseline weight. 21,22,27,33,35,36,38,49,50 The metrics percent BMI, 18 absolute BMI unit change 28 and weight change per All are cohort studies, except Crawford 2000, which was a weight gain prevention intervention. The majority of the studies in Table 2 were observational, but the Pound of Prevention Study tested an intervention to promote weight maintenance.…”

“…However, two follow-up articles from this same study categorized weight change using different criteria: a 5.0 pound absolute weight change 40 and a 5.0% weight change. 27 Similarly, our group has used different definitions of weight maintenance in different studies. [47][48][49] This illustrates the lack of a standard, accepted definition for weight maintenance.…”

Food insecurity and subsequent weight gain in women

“…13 . Because of the widely varying definitions available in the literature, weight gain of 2.3 kg (i.e.…”

Weight Change and Glycemic Control After Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes

“…[12][13][14][15] Demographic covariates included age at index date; gender; whether or not the individual was in a "race-risk" group, defined as membership in a racial group at higher risk for obesity (Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander, combined); and family income <$40,000 per year. Race at the individual level was available in KPNW databases on 73% of patients; missing race data and family income were assigned using census tract block data that corresponded with each participant's mailing address.…”