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Effects of retirement on lifestyle in relation to changes in weight and waist circumference in Dutch men: a prospective study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Astrid CJ Nooyens*
Affiliation:
Centre for Prevention and Health Services Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands Institute of Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit and VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tommy LS Visscher
Affiliation:
Centre for Prevention and Health Services Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands Institute of Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit and VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
A Jantine Schuit
Affiliation:
Centre for Public Health Forecasting, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Caroline TM van Rossum
Affiliation:
Centre for Nutrition and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
WM Monique Verschuren
Affiliation:
Centre for Prevention and Health Services Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Willem van Mechelen
Affiliation:
Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Jacob C Seidell
Affiliation:
Institute of Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit and VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
*
*Corresponding author: Email astrid.nooyens@falw.vu.nl
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Abstract

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Objective

To study changes in lifestyle in relation to changes in body weight and waist circumference associated with occupational retirement in men.

Design

A prospective cohort study with 5 years of follow-up. At baseline and at follow-up, questionnaires were completed and body weight and waist circumference were measured.

Setting

The Doetinchem Cohort Study, consisting of inhabitants of Doetinchem, a town in a rural area of The Netherlands.

Subjects

In total 288 healthy men aged 50–65 years at baseline, who either remained employed or retired over follow-up.

Results

The effect of retirement on changes in weight and waist circumference was dependent on type of former occupation. Increase in body weight and waist circumference was higher among men who retired from active jobs (0.42 kg year−1 and 0.77 cm year−1, respectively) than among men who retired from sedentary jobs (0.08 kg year−1 and 0.23 cm year−1, respectively). Weight gain and increase in waist circumference were associated with a decrease in fruit consumption and fibre density of the diet, with an increase in frequency of eating breakfast, and with a decrease in several physical activities, such as household activities, bicycling, walking and doing odd jobs.

Conclusion

Retirement was associated with an increase in weight and waist circumference among those with former active jobs, but not among those with former sedentary jobs. Retirement may bring opportunities for healthy changes in diet and physical activity, which could be used in health promotion programmes.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2005

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