Body mass index, weight change, and incidence of self-reported physician-diagnosed arthritis among women.

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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI), weight change, and arthritis in women. METHODS: Data were taken from the 1982-1984 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study of 3617 women, aged 25 to 74 years. RESULTS: Women with a BMI greater than 32 at initial interview were at significantly higher risk of developing arthritis than women with a BMI of 19 to 21.9. Compared with stable-weight women with a BMI of less than 25, women who were obese at initial interview (BMI > 29) and who subsequently maintained their weight or gained more than 10% of their body weight were at significantly higher risk of developing arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Attaining and maintaining a healthy weight may reduce the risk of developing arthritis.