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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Obesity, change of body mass index and subsequent physical and mental health functioning: a 12-year follow-up study among ageing employees

Authors: Anna Svärd, Jouni Lahti, Eira Roos, Ossi Rahkonen, Eero Lahelma, Tea Lallukka, Minna Mänty

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Studies suggest an association between weight change and subsequent poor physical health functioning, whereas the association with mental health functioning is inconsistent. We aimed to examine whether obesity and change of body mass index among normal weight, overweight and obese women and men associate with changes in physical and mental health functioning.

Methods

The Helsinki Health Study cohort includes Finnish municipal employees aged 40 to 60 in 2000–02 (phase 1, response rate 67%). Phase 2 mail survey (response rate 82%) took place in 2007 and phase 3 in 2012 (response rate 76%). This study included 5668 participants (82% women). Seven weight change categories were formed based on body mass index (BMI) (phase 1) and weight change (BMI change ≥5%) (phase 1–2). The Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) measured physical and mental health functioning. The change in health functioning (phase 1–3) score was examined with repeated measures analyses. Covariates were age, sociodemographic factors, health behaviours, and somatic ill-health.

Results

Weight gain was common among women (34%) and men (25%). Weight-gaining normal weight (−1.3 points), overweight (−1.3 points) and obese (−3.6 points) women showed a greater decline in physical component summary scores than weight-maintaining normal weight women. Among weight-maintainers, only obese (−1.8 points) women showed a greater decline than weight-maintaining normal weight women. The associations were similar, but statistically non-significant for obese men. No statistically significant differences in the change in mental health functioning occurred.

Conclusion

Preventing weight gain likely helps maintaining good physical health functioning and work ability.
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Metadata
Title
Obesity, change of body mass index and subsequent physical and mental health functioning: a 12-year follow-up study among ageing employees
Authors
Anna Svärd
Jouni Lahti
Eira Roos
Ossi Rahkonen
Eero Lahelma
Tea Lallukka
Minna Mänty
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4768-8

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