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Longitudinal Associations of Marital, Parenting, and Employment Transitions with Weight Gain in a Multi-Ethnic Asian Population Aged 21 Years and Above

Author

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  • Clare Whitton

    (Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore 117549, Singapore
    School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia)

  • Yvonne Hui Min Wong

    (Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore 117549, Singapore)

  • Rob M. van Dam

    (Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore 117549, Singapore
    Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

Abstract

Identifying when most weight gain occurs throughout the life course can inform targeted public health interventions. We evaluated the association of childbirth, marriage, and employment changes with weight changes in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort. Singapore Multi-Ethnic Cohort participants ≥21 years ( n = 9655) who identified as ethnic Chinese, Malay, or Indian were weighed and interviewed about marital status, employment, and number of children at baseline and after about four years. We used multivariable regression to evaluate life transitions in relation to weight change and major gain (≥5 kg), and adjusted for socio-demographic covariates. Weight gain was 3.55 kg (95% CI 3.17, 3.94) higher in young adults (21–30 years) compared with participants older than 60 years at baseline. Getting married was associated with weight gain in women, but not men ( p interaction < 0.01). Women who got married gained 1.63 kg (95% CI 0.88, 2.38) more weight and were more likely to gain ≥5 kg (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.35, 2.93) than those remaining unmarried. Having children was not associated with weight gain. Only among ethnic Indians, remaining a homemaker was associated with less weight gain than remaining employed. In this multi-ethnic Asian population, obesity prevention efforts should target young adulthood and, in women, the transition into marriage.

Suggested Citation

  • Clare Whitton & Yvonne Hui Min Wong & Rob M. van Dam, 2021. "Longitudinal Associations of Marital, Parenting, and Employment Transitions with Weight Gain in a Multi-Ethnic Asian Population Aged 21 Years and Above," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:8115-:d:605902
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