BODY-MASS INDEX IN YOUNG-ADULTS - ASSOCIATIONS WITH PARENTAL BODY-SIZE AND EDUCATION IN THE CARDIA STUDY

Objectives. Associations of parental education, parental body size, an d offspring's education with body mass index and 7-year change in body mass index were examined among participants in the Coronary Artery Ri sk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Methods. CARDIA is a st udy of coronary artery disease risk factors in 5115 Black and White pe rsons aged 18 to 30 at baseline. Analyses of covariance were carried o ut with body mass index and change in body mass index as the dependent variables, and with parental education, parental body size, and parti cipant education as the major independent variables. Results. Father`s body size was positively associated with participant's baseline body mass index among Black men, White men, and White women. Mother's body size was positively associated with baseline body mass index among all race-sex groups, and with change in body mass index among White women . Father's education was inversely associated with baseline body mass index among Black men and White women, and with change among White wom en. Conclusions. Parental education may influence body mass index and changes in young adulthood, especially among White women. Such associa tions may be both genetic and environmental and may be important for o besity prevention efforts.