Body Mass Index, Weight Change, and Incidence of Self-Reported Physician-Diagnosed Arthritis Among Women.

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]