Overweight and anthropometric changes in adulthood: a prospective study of 17,000 Finns.
1 January 1988
journal article
Vol. 12 (5)
Abstract
Changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), and thickness of triceps and subscapular skinfolds were studied in 17,294 adult Finns who, as part of a health survey, were examined twice after an interval of 4 to 7 (average 5.7) years. During the follow-up, the mean weight and BMI rose in men and women below the age of 50 at entry, changed little in men aged 50-70 and in women aged 50-60, and rapidly declined at later ages. Individual weight changes were generally small; about two-thirds of the participants maintained their weight within 5 kg from the initial weight. About 9 per cent of the men and 4 per cent of the women gained 10 kg or more, and 2 per cent of the men and 4 per cent of the women lost 10 kg or more in 5 years. Weight loss was associated with old age and high initial BMI, whereas weight gain was most common in the young, even in those with a high initial BMI. Young overweight subjects need most attention in prevention and treatment programmes for obesity.