Emotional health and weight gain: a prospective study of midlife women.
OBJECTIVE
Investigate the extent to which risk of weight gain is affected by emotional health. Also, determine the influence of age, baseline weight, physical activity (PA), energy intake, and changes in PA and energy intake on the relationship between emotional health and weight gain.


METHODS
Prospective cohort.


METHODS
Two metropolitan areas in the Mountain West.


METHODS
Total of 256 middle-aged, apparently healthy women.


METHODS
Emotional health was assessed using the General Well-Being Schedule. PA was measured using Actigraph accelerometers. Energy intake was measured using 7-day weighed food records. All assessments were taken at baseline and again at the follow-up approximately 2 years later.


METHODS
Relative risk (RR) was calculated using incidence data.


RESULTS
With no variables controlled, women with less than positive (LTP) emotional health had 59% greater risk of weight gain (> or =2 kg) than women with positive emotional health (RR, 1.59; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.04-2.44). After adjustments for each potential confounder individually, risk of weight gain did not change significantly. However, adjusting for all of the potential confounders simultaneously weakened the risk of weight gain (RR, 1.43; 95% CI, .93-2.21). Risk of weight gain (> or =2 kg) was no greater in depressed women compared with their counterparts.


CONCLUSIONS
Middle-aged women with LTP emotional health are at significantly increased risk of weight gain over time compared with women with positive emotional health.
Tucker
Larry A
LA
Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA. tucker@byu.edu
Earl
Ann Bahr
AB
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D012306:Risk; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D015430:Weight Gain