Change in women's body mass index and waist circumference, 1997 to 2002: the Nepean Study

To investigate characteristics associated with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference stability over a five-year period in women with school-age children.

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.

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.

Total and abdominal adiposity increased in these Australian women who have children. The results support the need to develop effective weight gain prevention initiatives.