The Lifestyle associated with Weight Gain and Persistent Overweight for 2 Years among Hospital Workers

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the lifestyle associated with weight gain and persistent overweight for 2 years. METHODS: The subjects were 580 workers (109 men, 471 women) at one university affiliated hospital. Their height and weight were measured twice in 2000 and 2002. A questionnaire, about lifestyle was filled out in 2000. The questionnaire included the average amount of alcohol intake and the number of days per week in which alcohol was consumed, smoking status, and the number of days per week in which exercise was done. Their weight change in 2 years was calculated and their weight status was classified into two groups: persistent normal weight (BMI or =23 kg/m2). RESULTS: Among the total, 54.3% of men and 10.0% of women had persistent overweight over 2 years. Overall 93.4% of overweight men and 68.7% of overweight women remained overweight after 2 years. Compared with male non-smokers and male ex- smokers, current male smokers gained weight as much as 1.17 kg over 2 years after adjusting for age and initial BMI (P=0.033). Compared with females who exercised less than 3 per week, those who exercised 3 or more per week lost weight as much as 1.21 kg over 2 years after adjusting for age and initial BMI (P=0.005). Compared with males who consumed alcohol an average of 30 g were 4.1 times (95% C.I. 1.04~16.21) more likely to maintain persistent overweight over 2 years after adjustment for age and frequency of alcohol use. However no particular lifestyle was shown to predict the risk of persistent overweight for women. CONCLUSION: Regular exercise of moderate intensity and modest alcohol consumption seemed to prevent weight gain and persistent overweight. Such lifestyle may be encouraged to maintain healthy weight.