Objective: To investigate characteristics associated with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference stability over a five-year period in women with school-age children.
Methods: Women with 7-8 year-old children from western Sydney, Australia, had anthropometric measures taken in 1996/97 (n=436) and five years later (n=327). Socio-demographic characteristics examined at baseline included age, socioeconomic status, smoking, and number of children.
Results: Over five years, less than half of the women maintained a stable BMI (38.8%) or waist circumference (31.5%), with the majority gaining in both indicators of adiposity. BMI and socio-demographic characteristics were not predictive of BMI or waist circumference stability or decrease.
Conclusions and implications: Total and abdominal adiposity increased in these Australian women who have children. The results support the need to develop effective weight gain prevention initiatives.