Association between Anxiety Levels and Weight Change in the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Journal Article


Authors: Rieke, K.; Durazo-Arvizu, R; Liu, K; Michos, E. D.; Luke, A; Kramer, H
Article Title: Association between Anxiety Levels and Weight Change in the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Abstract: Objective. To examine the association between anxiety and weight change in a multiethnic cohort followed for approximately 10 years. Methods. The study population consisted of participants of the multiethnic study of atherosclerosis who met specified inclusion criteria (n = 5,799). Weight was measured at baseline and four subsequent follow-up exams. Anxiety was analyzed as sex-specific anxiety quartiles (QANX). The relationship between anxiety level and weight change was examined using a mixed-effect model with weight as the dependent variable, anxiety and time as the independent variables, and adjusted for covariates. Results. Average annual weight change (range) was -0.17 kg (-6.04 to 4.38 kg) for QANX 1 (lowest anxiety), -0.16 kg (-10.71 to 4.45 kg) for QANX 2, -0.15 kg (-8.69 to 6.39 kg) for QANX 3, and -0.20 kg (-7.12 to 3.95 kg) for QANX 4 (highest anxiety). No significant association was noted between QANX and weight change. However, the highest QANX was associated with a -2.48 kg (95% CI = -3.65, -1.31) lower baseline weight compared to the lowest QANX after adjustment for all covariates. Conclusions. Among adults, age 45-84, higher levels of anxiety, defined by the STPI trait anxiety scale, are associated with lower average baseline weight but not with weight change.
Journal Title: Journal of obesity
Volume: 2014
ISSN: 2090-0716; 2090-0708
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: United States
Date Published: 2014
Start Page: 894627
Language: eng
DOI/URL:
Notes: JID: 101526295; OID: NLM: PMC4206924; 2014/07/14 [received]; 2014/09/16 [accepted]; 2014/10/08 [epublish]; ppublish