Trajectories and determinants of weight gain in two cohorts of young adult women born 16 years apart.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The aims were to compare: (1) baseline weights and weight gain trajectories; (2) sociodemographic, behavioural and health characteristics driving weight gain; and (3) estimated average weight in 20 years' time, in two cohorts of young women.

Methods

Data were from 16066 participants in two population-based cohorts of young adult women, born in 1973-78 ("GenX") and 1989-95 ("millennials"). Weight was reported at baseline (age 18-23 in both cohorts) and 4 years later. High weight gain was defined as >2.5% per year. Data were analysed in 2020.

Results

Women born in 1989-95 were almost 4 kg heavier at age 18-23 and gained weight over 4 years 1.7 times faster than those born in 1973-78. Prevalence of high weight gain was 34.2% in the 1989-95 cohort and 24% in th

SUBMITTER: Brown WJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8090508 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature