The Effect of Incarceration on Adult Male BMI Trajectories, United States, 1981-2006

Overview

Journal J Racial Ethn Health Disparities

Specialties Public Health
Social Sciences

Date 2014 May 10

PMID 24812594

Citations 16

Authors

Brian Houle

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity and overweight is socially patterned, with higher prevalence among women, racial/ethnic minorities, and those with lower socio-economic status. Contextual factors also affect obesity risk. However, an omitted factor has been incarceration, particularly since it disproportionately affects minorities. This study examines the effects of incarceration on adult male body mass index (BMI) in the United States over the life course, and whether effects vary by race/ethnicity and education. BMI trajectories were analyzed over age using growth curve models of men ages 18-49 from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth panel study. BMI was based on self-reported height/weight (kg/m). Being currently incarcerated increased BMI, but the effect varied by race/ethnicity and education: blacks experienced the largest increases, while effects were lowered for men with more education than a high school diploma. Cumulative exposure to prison increased BMI for all groups. These results suggest a differential effect of incarceration on adult male BMI among some racial/ethnic-education minority groups. Particularly given that these groups are most commonly imprisoned, incarceration may help structure obesity disparities and disadvantage across the life course.

Citing Articles

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Love after lockup: examining the role of marriage, social status, and financial stress among formerly incarcerated individuals.

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