STABLE BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH ADULTS 10-YEAR CHANGE IN BODY-MASS INDEX AND LIKELIHOOD OF GAIN AT THE WAIST

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to identify behaviors associ ated with change in body mass index or with weight gain at the waist. Methods. A cohort of 79 236 White, non-Hispanic, healthy adults was qu estioned in 1982 and 1992 about diet and 10 physical activities. Estim ates were made of the mean effects of stable behaviors on 10-year chan ge in body mass index and on odds ratios for gain at the waist. Result s. Ten-year change in body mass index was associated positively with m eat consumption and smoking cessation and inversely with vegetable con sumption, vitamin E supplementation, continued smoking, and some vigor ous activities (e.g., jogging/running). Women's body mass index decrea sed with walking 4 or more hours per week and with regular alcohol int ake, but these behaviors had a smaller effect on men's body mass index . Waist gain was inversely associated with high vegetable consumption, walking 4 or more hours per week, and jogging/running 1 to 3 hours pe r week but not with less demanding physical activities. Conclusions. S imple description of behaviors associated with weight loss or reduced abdominal obesity may enhance programs designed to prevent obesity and chronic diseases.