title: Determinants of change in body weight and body fat distribution over 5.5 years in a sample of free-living black South African women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify socio-demographic and lifestyle determinants of weight gain in a sample of premenopasual black South African (SA) women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, computerised tomography), socio-economic status (SES) and behavioural/lifestyle factors were measured in 64 black SA women at baseline (27 ± 8 years) and after 5.5 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A lower body mass index (BMI) and nulliparity, together with access to sanitation, were significant determinants of weight gain and change in body fat distribution over 5.5 years. In addition, younger women increased their body weight more than their older counterparts, but this association was not independent of other determinants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research is required to examine the effect of changing SES, as well as the full impact of childbearing on weight gain over time in younger women with lower BMIs. This information will suggest areas for possible intervention to prevent long-term weight gain in these women.
authors.affiliation: Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chantler
authors.affiliation: Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Kasha
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dickie
authors.affiliation: Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Micklesfield
authors.affiliation: Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Non-Communicable Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa. Email: Julia.goedecke@mrc.ac.za.
authors.forename: Julia H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Goedecke
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D050154:Adiposity / Q000208:ethnology*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D044383:Black People; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D017697:Premenopause / Q000208:ethnology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012499:Sanitation; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000208:ethnology*; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D055815:Young Adult