Abstract 13542: Psychosocial Predictors of Duration of Obesity: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

Abstract

Introduction: Cumulative exposure to excess adiposity contributes significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about associations of psychosocial factors [life events (LE) and social support (SS)] with duration of abdominal obesity (DOB). Methods: Baseline data were collected in CARDIA from 1985-1986 (N=5115). Participants completed an 11-item SS scale, from Seeman’s and Syme’s work (higher score=higher support), and a 66-item LE scale, from the Psychiatric Epidemiology Rating Interview (higher score=more stressful events exposure in prior year). Associations between baseline SS and LE and DOB were investigated using multivariable linear regression. Abdominal obesity was waist circumference (WC)>102cm for men and >88cm for women. DOB was defined as cumulative abdominal obesity years based on measured WC every 3-5 years in the 25-year study. Results: Among 4214 participants not initially obese, DOB ranged from 0-25 years with a median of 10 years/person. At baseline, those with high LE scores were younger, more likely to be black, with less education, greater total physical activity (PA), greater energy intake (EI) and current/past smoking, while those with high SS score were more likely to be female, black, with higher education, higher PA, lower EI and smoking. In stratified linear regression models adjusted for covariates, each 1-unit higher LE score was associated with longer DOB for white women (Table). In contrast, a 1-unit higher SS score was associated with shorter DOB for white women and white men. No associations were observed among black men or women. Conclusions: Psychosocial factors were associated with duration of abdominal obesity, with a positive association between LE score and DOB for white women, and an inverse association between SS score and DOB for white women and men. These factors may identify those most at risk for greater cumulative exposure to adiposity and may serve as obesity prevention targets.