The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #46398

Peter T. Baltrus, MS¹, Trivellore E. Raghunathan, PhD², and George A. Kaplan, PhD¹. (1) Epidemiology, University of Michigan, SPH1, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 734-615-0695, pbaltrus@umich.edu, (2) Biostatistics, University of Michigan, M4218 Sph II, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Introduction: Obesity and weight gain have been shown to be associated with low socioeconomic position (SEP). However the relative contribution of Education, Income, Occupation, and, particularly, Childhood SEP to adult weight gain over long periods is unknown. Methods: Mixed models and data collected over 34 years, from the Alameda County Study, were used to examine the association between SEP and weight change slopes and baseline weight (n=2960). Results: Weight gain was the norm (men: < 30=0.35 kg/year, 31-40=0.20 kg/yr; women < 30=.46 kg/yr; 31-40=0.29 kg/yr). With simultaneous adjustment for all SEP variables: 1) Weight gain was best explained by education in the younger groups (Men: low=+0.20kg/yr, p=0.002; Women: low=+0.10 kg/yr, p=0.12), and by income in the older groups (men, bottom quartile=+.19 kg/yr, p=0.004; women, 2nd quartile=+.11,p=0.021). 2) Childhood SEP was the biggest contributor to baseline weight in men (< 30 low=+2.29 kg, p=0.036; 31-40 medium=+1.90 kg, p=0.025), education was in women(< 30 low=+4.97 kg, p<.0001; 31-40 low=+3.92 kg, p=.009). Conclusions: SEP is associated with weight gain, but different SEP exposures may be important at different stages of the life-course, and may differentially impact men and women; suggesting different causal pathways between socioeconomic disadvantage and weight gain.

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