The Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Aging Female Inmates

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a sample of older female inmates (N = 458). Results indicate that 34% of older female inmates were overweight and 36% were obese; similar percentages were noted for the general population. Race and age were found to be significantly associated with the body mass index categories of healthy weight and obese. White inmates were significantly more likely to be of a healthy weight and significantly less likely to be obese than Black inmates. Age was positively associated with healthy weight and negatively associated with obesity. These two variables remained significant even after they were introduced into logistic regression models predicting healthy weight and obesity. Findings indicate the need for programming to improve the health of this population.

Childhood Adversity and Mental Health Correlates of Obesity in a Population at Risk

“…However, this was not the case for females who had a mean BMI of 29.7, with 43.1% being obese, consistent with a report from another female inmate population (Brewer-Smyth, 2014). The disparities we found of increased obesity for non-Caucasian prisoners are consistent with reports from others (Houle, 2011; Leigey & Johnston, 2015; Shah, Plugge, & Douglas, 2011). This disparity in obesity can play a role in disparities of other conditions that are greater for non-Caucasians and women (Warner & Brown, 2011).…”

Prevalence of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among prisoners: a systematic review

“…Overweight and obesity A total of 11 studies assessed prevalence of overweight and obesity among inmates. All studies reported a positive change in BMI during incarceration and high prevalence of overweight and obesity among prisoners (Clarke and Waring, 2012;Fawad et al, 2012;Gates and Bradford, 2015;Haysom et al, 2013;Leigey and Johnston, 2015;Mukhtar et al, 2013;Togas et al, 2014;van Dooren et al, 2013;Vera-Remartínez et al, 2014;Wolff et al, 2012). The overall average prevalence of overweight and obesity reported by all studies were 35.6 and 23.3 per cent, respectively.…”

“…Silverman-Retana et al (2015) however observed a U-shaped association between length of stay and BMI change and positive weight change being more prevalent among older inmates. Leigey and Johnston (2015) found longer length of stay to be associated with healthy weight, but one study found that longer stay, greater than one year was associated with higher risk of obesity, seven times higher compared to those who have stayed for shorter periods (AOR 6.92; 95 per cent CI, p < 0.001) (Haysom et al, 2013).…”

Evaluation of the Nutritional Quality of Commissary Foods Offered in American Women’s Prisons

“…Female inmates were less likely than their male counterparts to be overweight; however, they were more likely to be obese or morbidly obese compared to men, putting them at higher risk for weight-related health complications (Maruschak et al, 2015). A study of incarcerated women in three Georgia state prisons found that 70% of older females (59 to 95 years old) were either overweight (34%) or obese (36%; Leigey & Johnston, 2015). Similarly, 87% of incarcerated women in an Oregon state prison were overweight (39%) or obese (48%), compared to 64% of nonincarcerated overweight (28%) or obese (36%) women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017; Drach et al, 2016).…”