The Association between Marital Transitions, Body Mass Index, and Weight: A Review of the Literature

Dinour, Lauren M.; Leung, May May; Tripicchio, Gina L.; Khan, Sahar; Yeh, Ming Chin

doi:10.1155/2012/294974

Cited by 47 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(271 reference statements)

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“…Results from our study showed that divorce, widowhood and never being married was significantly associated with being ready to lose weight in individuals with severe WRHR, compared to those who are married. This result was in line with a systematic literature review reporting that transitions into marriage were associated with weight gain, whereas transitions out of marriage (through divorce and widowhood) were associated with triggering weight loss [29]. Further results showed that accurately perceiving oneself as being overweight or obese is considered to be an important aspect of weight change, which was in agreement with others [30].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Overweight and obese adults have low intentions of seeking weight-related care: a cross-sectional survey

et al. 2014

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BackgroundThe prevalence of obesity is growing worldwide. Obesity guidelines recommend increasing the level of weight-related care for persons with elevated levels of weight-related health risk (WRHR). However, there seems to be a discrepancy between need for and use of weight-related care. The primary aim of this study is to examine predisposing factors that may influence readiness to lose weight and intention to use weight-related care in an overweight population.MethodsA population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted. Data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire sent to a population-representative sample of 1,500 Dutch adults on the Health Care Consumer Panel (n = 861 responded). Data were used from individuals (n = 445) with a mildly, moderately or severely elevated level of WRHR. WRHR status was based on self-reported data on Body Mass Index, risk assessment for diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), or co-morbidities.Results55.1% of persons with increased WRHR were ready to lose weight (n = 245). Depending on level of WRHR; educational level, marital status, individuals with an accurate perception of their weight and better perceptions and expectations of dietitians were significantly related to readiness to lose weight. Most of them preferred individual weight-loss methods (82.0% of n = 245). 11% (n = 26 of n = 245) intended to use weight-related care. Weight-related care seeking was higher for those with moderate or severe WRHR. Expectations and trust in dietitians did not seem to influence care seeking.ConclusionsMany Dutch adults who are medically in need of weight-related care are ready to lose weight. Most intend to lose weight individually, and only a few intend to use weight-related care. Therefore, obesity prevention initiatives should focus on monitoring weight change and weight-loss plans, and timely referral to obesity management. However, many people are not ready to lose weight. For this group, strategies for behaviour change may depend on WRHR, perceptions of weight and dietitians, educational level and marital status. Obesity prevention initiatives should focus on increasing the awareness of the seriousness of their condition and offering individually appropriate weight management programmes.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Overweight and obese adults have low intentions of seeking weight-related care: a cross-sectional survey

et al. 2014

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“…This finding was expected as the lives of young women are likely to become more sedentary when they stop attending school, while eating patterns may shift with more ready access to food. We were expecting marriage to be positively associated with overweight/obesity, as was noted in other studies, but we found that marriage increases BMI only in urban areas and among older girls. In rural areas, marriage was found to increase the risk of being underweight.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Being underweight can be perceived not only as not yet being physically mature but also as not having good health, particularly in contexts where HIV prevalence is high, as is the case in Zambia. Studies reviewing the literature on marital transitions and BMI found that transitions into marriage are associated with higher BMI in the United States, other developed countries, and in Mexico, and that married adults are more likely to be overweight and obese . Finally, in Zambia, breastfeeding is nearly universal during children's first year of life and is common during their second year of life, and has been associated with lower BMI among adult women in other African settings …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transitions to adulthood and the changing body mass index of adolescent girls in Zambia

Soler‐Hampejsek¹,

Hewett

Spielman

et al. 2020

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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Adolescent girls in low-and middle-income countries often experience several important life transitions, includingschool-leaving, marriage, and childbearing. Understanding how these transitions are associated with changes in the nutritional status of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) is crucial for programs that aim to improve nutritional outcomes among youth and promote healthy transitions to adulthood. We investigated the associations between adolescent transitions and body mass index (BMI) among a cohort of 4887 adolescent girls in Zambia aged 10-19 years when first interviewed in 2013. Estimating fixed-effects models controlling for constant and timevarying confounders, we found that school-leaving, marital status, and childbearing are associated with the nutritional status of AGYW in diverse ways. School-leaving was associated with higher BMI and increased odds of overweight/obesity. Marriage was not only associated with increased odds of undernutrition, particularly in rural areas, but also with increased odds of overweight/obesity among older girls. Motherhood was associated with lower BMI and lower odds of overweight/obesity, particularly among breastfeeding mothers. Our results provide evidence of characteristics of AGYW that would be useful for targeted nutritional interventions and behavior change programming, including girls leaving school, recently married, and young women undergoing a marital separation, as well as young mothers and their children.

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“…Married workers also had a higher overweight prevalence than single workers 22 . A systematic review 13 reported that marriage is associated with weight gain and can be explained by more shared and regular meals, more portions, and lower physical activity and concern with body weight 11,12 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies have shown that the prevalence of overweight increases with age 10 and marriage [11][12][13] . Women are also more vulnerable to overweight, especially those with low income and education level 14 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overweight in Brazilian industry workers: Prevalence and association with demographic and socioeconomic factors and soft drink intake

Silveira

Silva

et al. 2014

Rev. Nutr.

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Objective: To estimate the prevalence of overweight in industry workers and its association with demographic and socioeconomic factors and soft drink intake (including type). Methods: This is a nationwide cross-sectional cohort survey of "Lifestyle and leisure habits of industry workers" conducted between 2006 and 2008 in 24 Brazilian federate units. The participants answered a previously tested questionnaire and self-reported their weight and height. Statistical analyses consisted of crude and adjusted Poisson regression. Results: Males and females had overweight prevalences of 45.7% (95%CI=45.1; 46.2) and 28.1% (95%CI=27.4; 28.9) respectively. Older and married individuals and those working in medium-sized and large factories were more likely to be overweight. Males with higher education levels and gross family incomes were also more likely to be overweight, but not females. Finally, men (PR=1.24; 95%CI=1.13; 1.36) and women (PR=1.40; 95%CI=1.22; 1.61) who consumed diet/light soft drinks were also more likely to be overweight than those who did not consume soft drinks. Conclusion: More than one-third of the workers were overweight according to their self-reported weight and height, and the prevalence of overweight was higher in males. Demographic and socioeconomic variables and diet/light soft drink intake were associated with overweight. These data may be helpful for the development of actions that reduce the risk of overweight in this population.

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The Association between Marital Transitions, Body Mass Index, and Weight: A Review of the Literature

Cited by 47 publications

References 37 publications

Overweight and obese adults have low intentions of seeking weight-related care: a cross-sectional survey

Overweight and obese adults have low intentions of seeking weight-related care: a cross-sectional survey

Transitions to adulthood and the changing body mass index of adolescent girls in Zambia

Overweight in Brazilian industry workers: Prevalence and association with demographic and socioeconomic factors and soft drink intake

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