@article{3153417,
    title = "The association of education with long-term weight change in the
EPIC-PANACEA cohort",
    author = "Rohrmann, S. and Steinbrecher, A. and Linseisen, J. and Hermann, S. and and May, A. and Luan, J. and Ekelund, U. and Overvad, K. and Tjonneland, A. and and Halkjaer, J. and Fagherazzi, G. and Boutron-Ruault, M-C and and Clavel-Chapelon, F. and Agnoli, C. and Tumino, R. and Masala, G. and and Mattiello, A. and Ricceri, F. and Travier, N. and Amiano, P. and and Ardanaz, E. and Chirlaque, M-D and Sanchez, M-J and Rodriguez, L. and and Nilsson, L. M. and Johansson, I. and Hedblad, B. and Rosvall, M. and and Lund, E. and Braaten, T. and Naska, A. and Orfanos, P. and Trichopoulou, and A. and van den Berg, S. and Bueno-de-Mesquita, H. B. and Bergmann, M. M. and and Steffen, A. and Kaaks, R. and Teucher, B. and Wareham, N. J. and and Khaw, K-T and Crowe, F. L. and Illner, A-K and Slimani, N. and Gallo, V. and and Mouw, T. and Norat, T. and Peeters, P. H. M.",
    journal = "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition",
    year = "2012",
    volume = "66",
    number = "8",
    pages = "957-963",
    publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",
    issn = "0954-3007, 1476-5640",
    doi = "10.1038/ejcn.2012.55",
    keywords = "education; BMI; weight change; cohort study; EPIC",
    abstract = "BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cross-sectionally, educational attainment is
strongly associated with the prevalence of obesity, but this association
is less clear for weight change during adult life. The objective of this
study is to examine the association between educational attainment and
weight change during adult life in the European Prospective
Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).
SUBJECTS/METHODS: EPIC is a cohort study with 361 467 participants and
up to 10 years of follow-up. Educational attainment was categorized
according to the highest obtained school level (primary school or less,
vocational secondary training, other secondary education and
university). Multivariate mixed-effects linear regression models were
used to study education in relation to weight at age 20 years
(self-reported), to annual change in weight between age 20 years and
measured weight at recruitment, and to annual change in weight during
follow-up time.
RESULTS: Higher educational attainment was associated with on average a
lower body mass index (BMI) at age 20 years and a lower increase in
weight up to recruitment (highest vs lowest educational attainment in
men: -60 g per year (95% confidence interval (CI) -80; -40), women -110
g per year (95% CI -130; -80)). Although during follow-up after
recruitment an increase in body weight was observed in all educational
levels, gain was lowest in men and women with a university degree (high
vs low education -120 g per year (95% CI -150; -90) and -70 g per year
(95% CI -90; -60), respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: Existing differences in BMI between higher and lower
educated individuals at early adulthood became more pronounced during
lifetime, which possibly impacts on obesity-related chronic disease risk
in persons with lower educational attainment."
}