title: Lifecourse socioeconomic position and 16 year body mass index trajectories: differences by race and sex.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between lifecourse socioeconomic position (SEP) and changes in body mass index (BMI), and assess disparities in these associations across racial/ethnic groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  With longitudinal data from 4 waves of the Americans' Changing Lives Study (1986-2002), we employed mixed-effects modeling to estimate BMI trajectories for 1174 Blacks and 2323 White adults. We also estimated associations between these trajectories and lifecourse SEP variables, including father's education, perceived childhood SEP, own education, income, wealth, and financial security.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blacks had higher baseline BMIs, and steeper increases in BMI, compared to Whites. Childhood SEP, as measured by high father's education, was associated with lower baseline BMI among Whites. High education was associated with a lower baseline BMI within both race and sex categories. Income had contrasting effects among men and women. Higher income was associated with higher BMI only among males. Associations between indicators of SEP and BMI trajectories were only found for Whites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrates that lifecourse SEP may influence adult BMI differently within different racial and sex groups.
authors: University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States. Electronic address: tabassum.insaf@health.ny.gov.
authors: Tabassum Z
authors: TZ
authors: Insaf
authors: University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States.
authors: Benjamin A
authors: BA
authors: Shaw
authors: University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States.
authors: Recai M
authors: RM
authors: Yucel
authors: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Chasan-Taber
authors: University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States; Bassett Research Institute, Cooperstown, NY, United States.
authors: David S
authors: DS
authors: Strogatz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology*; D044469:Racial Groups; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Body mass index; Health status disparities; Social mobility