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PREDICTORS OF BODY MASS INDEX IN HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

Factors predicting obesity, as determined by body mass index (BMI=kg/m2), were assessed prospectively in a cohort of seniors from an academically select urban high school. 191 students completed a health habits survey and had height and weight measured in 1984 and 1986. 51% were male, 51% white, 28% Asian, 12% black, 6% Hispanic and 3% other. Mean BMI increased between surveys for the entire group (x 21.2 to 22.3, p<.0001) and for both sexes. 31% gained ≥ 1.5 BMI units. Linear regression was used to assess the contribution of individual variables to BMI in 1986. Variables significantly associated with higher BMI in 1986 were: low SES (p=.006), male sex (p=.048), frequently reading for pleasure (p=.045), and maternal overweight as perceived by the student (p=.031). Ethnic group, sedentary behaviors other than reading, amount of exercise, and eating behaviors were not correlated with BMI. The change in BMI between 1984 and 1986 was analyzed by including 1984 BMI as an independent variable in addition to the other individual variables; 1984 BMI accounted for most of the variance (R2=.72). Perception of mother's overweight was inversely related to BMI change (p=.040) while perception of father's overweight was directly related (p=.090) to increase in BMI. These trends existed for both sexes of subjects. Other variables did not contribute significantly to the variance. The data suggest that while multiple factors contribute to adolescent obesity, change in relative weight during high school is associated in a complex way with the perceived individual weights of both parents.