Trends in Women's Risk Factors and Chronic Conditions: Findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health

Abstract

Chronic diseases present a growing challenge to women's health. This paper presents data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health to show prevalence and incidence among three cohorts of women of six chronic conditions: hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, osteoporosis and arthritis. It also examines the role of five important risk factors (body mass index, level of physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption and level of education) on these chronic conditions. The most striking finding is that being overweight or obese is the most important risk factor for chronic disease for women in all three age groups.

Weight Gain, Overweight, and Obesity: Determinants and Health Outcomes from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

“…In the older cohort, overweight and obesity were associated with increased risk of a number of chronic conditions including diabetes mellitus [16,30,31], hypertension [16,30], heart disease [30] and asthma [16]. Our work has also demonstrated associations between weight and the increased likelihood of developing foot problems [32], arthritis [16] and incontinence [33].…”

“…Our work has also demonstrated associations between weight and the increased likelihood of developing foot problems [32], arthritis [16] and incontinence [33]. Overweight or 13 of 19 obese women were also more likely to report declining physical functioning [34,35] and linked data showed increased incidence of acute adverse health events, including hospital admissions [30] and stroke [35].…”

“…For example, over a seven year period, women who were overweight were significantly more likely to develop hypertension and asthma and those who were obese were more likely to develop hypertension, diabetes [16] and depressive symptoms than their healthy weight peers [17]. Women who were overweight or obese were also more likely to report development of gestational diabetes mellitus [18] and polycystic ovary syndrome [19] over three and 10 years, respectively, than women who were in the healthy weight range.…”

“…Overweight and obese women were more likely to develop hypertension, heart disease, asthma [16] and diabetes [16,26], and to report hysterectomy, than healthy weight women [27]. Overall, women who gained at least 2.25 kg over two years reported poorer physical and mental well-being [28] and those who reported more than 5kg weight gain over three years also reported more menopausal symptoms [29].…”

Combining longitudinal studies showed prevalence of disease differed throughout older adulthood

“…It is well known that the likelihood of being diagnosed with one or more medical conditions increases with older age [1,2]. With the expected exponential rise in the population of individuals aged 60 and older [3], it is imperative to have accurate prevalence rates of disease to help anticipate health care needs and costs [4].…”