Changes in body mass index in young adults in relation to number of life events experienced.

As part of an extensive longitudinal study, the effect of experiencing few or many life events on the development of the body mass index (BMI = weight/height2) over periods of 1 year and 2 years was examined in 350 men and 395 women, 20-35 years of age. Body weight was measured and a life event questionnaire referring to the preceding 6 months was completed every 6 months from spring 1981 through spring 1984. The change in BMI of subjects who experienced few or many life events was compared with the change in BMI of subjects who experienced an intermediate number of life events (the intermediate group). During the first year of follow-up, several subgroups of men and women who experienced many life events showed a gain in body mass. In several subgroups of men who experienced few life events a comparable effect occurred. After another year of follow-up this gain in body mass had disappeared in almost all subgroups. In the subgroup of men that tried to reduce their body weight by dieting during the follow-up period, the gain in body mass following few or many life events seemed to be permanent. In conclusion, the gain in body mass that may occur following the experience of many life events in women, seems to be effectively counterbalanced by regulatory mechanisms. In men, however, the experience of few or many life events may play a part in the aetiology of overweight.