title: Negative aspects of close relationships as a predictor of increased body mass index and waist circumference: the Whitehall II study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated whether exposure to negative aspects of close relationships was associated with subsequent increase in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data came from a prospective cohort study (Whitehall II) of 9425 civil servants aged 35 to 55 years at baseline (phase 1: 1985-1988). We assessed negative aspects of close relationships with the Close Persons Questionnaire (range 0-12) at phases 1 and 2 (1989-1990). We measured BMI and waist circumference at phases 3 (1991-1994) and 5 (1997-1999). Covariates at phase 1 included gender, age, marital status, ethnicity, BMI, employment grade, smoking, physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and common mental disorder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviors, participants with higher exposure to negative aspects of close relationships had a higher likelihood of a 10% or greater increase in BMI and waist circumference (odds ratios per 1-unit increase 1.08 [95% confidence interval (CI) =1.02, 1.14; P = .007] and 1.09 [CI = 1.04, 1.14; P ≤ .001], respectively) as well as a transition from the overweight (25 ≤ BMI  < 30) to the obese (BMI  ≥ 0) category.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adverse social relationships may contribute to weight gain.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Work, Health, and Organisations, School of Community Health Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. anne.kouvonen@gmail.com
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kouvonen
authors.forename: Mai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stafford
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Vogli
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Shipley
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Marmot
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Jussi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vahtera
authors.forename: Ari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Väänänen
authors.forename: Tarja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heponiemi
authors.forename: Archana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh-Manoux
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kivimäki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015430:Weight Gain