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Chronic Psychological Stress and Racial Disparities in Body Mass Index Change Between Black and White Girls Aged 10–19

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

One of the largest health disparities in the USA is in obesity rates between Black and White females.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the stress–obesity link is stronger in Black females than in White females aged 10–19.

Methods

Multilevel modeling captured the dynamic of acute (1 month) and chronic (10 years) stress and body mass index (BMI; weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) change in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study, which consists of 2,379 Black and White girls across a span of socioeconomic status. The girls were assessed longitudinally from ages 10 to 19.

Results

Higher levels of stress during the 10 years predicted significantly greater increases in BMI over time compared to lower levels of stress. This relationship was significantly stronger for Black compared to White girls.

Conclusion

Psychological stress is a modifiable risk factor that may moderate early racial disparities in BMI.

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Acknowledgments

The authors received support from the following: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health and Society Scholars Program (AJT) and the University of California Office of the President Multicampus Research Programs and Initiatives Grant 142691. This manuscript was prepared using NGHS data obtained from the NHLBI and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the NGHS or the NHLBI. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support, wisdom, and efforts of Marin Thompson, Aric Prather, Lorrene Ritchie, and Patricia Crawford.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA

    A. Janet Tomiyama Ph.D.

  2. University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Eli Puterman Ph.D. & Elissa S. Epel Ph.D.

  3. Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    David H. Rehkopf Ph.D.

  4. University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

    Barbara A. Laraia Ph.D., MPH, RD

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  1. A. Janet Tomiyama Ph.D.
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  2. Eli Puterman Ph.D.
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  3. Elissa S. Epel Ph.D.
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  4. David H. Rehkopf Ph.D.
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  5. Barbara A. Laraia Ph.D., MPH, RD
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Tomiyama, A.J., Puterman, E., Epel, E.S. et al. Chronic Psychological Stress and Racial Disparities in Body Mass Index Change Between Black and White Girls Aged 10–19. ann. behav. med. 45, 3–12 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9398-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9398-x

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