Accumulated exposure to rural areas of residence over the life course is associated with overweight and obesity in adulthood: a 25-year prospective cohort study

Abstract

Purpose This prospective cohort study investigated whether body mass index (BMI) and weight status in mid-adulthood were predicted by trajectories of urban-rural residence from childhood to adulthood. Methods Participants aged 7–15 years in 1985 (n = 8498) were followed up in 2004–2006 (n = 3999, aged 26–36 years) and 2009–2011 (n = 3049, aged 31–41 years). Area of residence (AOR) was classified as urban or rural at each time point. BMI and/or weight status was calculated from self-reported weight and height (2009–2011). We tested which of three life-course models (“accumulation,” “sensitive period,” “mobility”) best explained the AOR-BMI and/or weight status association using a novel life-c..