Abstract P016: Lose To Win: Changes In Weight Status From Adolescence To Young Adult Ages And Cardiovascular Health In Adulthood

This study examines the association of changes in weight status from teen to young adult ages with the number of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) and clinical CVH metrics by adulthood. We hypothesized that increases in weight status from teen to young adult ages are associated with less ideal CVH metrics in adulthood. Data from a subset of participants (n=4252) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (AddHealth) with Life Simple 7 (LS7) metrics (diet, physical activity, BMI, smoking, cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose) collected at mean age 38±0.05 were used. LS7 metrics and criteria were used to estimate the number of ideal CVH (range 0-7) and clinical CVH metrics (range 0-3). Height and weight measured at mean ages 16±0.03 and 28±0.04 were used to determine three categories of change in weight status from teen to young adult ages: increased, no change, or decreased. Linear regression models were used to test the association of changes in weight status from teen to young adult ages with the number of ideal CVH and clinical CVH metrics in adulthood. Tests adjusted for age, sex, single parent status, parent’s education, and baseline weight status were conducted overall and stratified by race/ethnicity. Mean number of ideal CVH metrics was 2.8±0.02. When compared with no changes in weight status from teen to young adult ages, increases associated with less ideal CVH (β= -0.90; 95% CI -0.99, -0.82) and clinical CVH (-0.39; -0.44, -0.33) metrics, while decreases associated with more ideal CVH (0.26; 0.01,0.51), and clinical CVH (0.19; 0.03,0.35) metrics. Stratified tests showed that decreases in weight status associated with more ideal CVH and clinical CVH metrics among Latinx (0.78; 0.21, 1.35; and 0.57; 0.16, 0.97) and Asian (1.66; 0.45, 2.88; 1.12; 0.39, 1.85), but not among White or Black (p>0.05) participants. Findings underscore the importance of supporting weight loss and maintenance of normal weight among emerging adults for optimal CVH in adulthood. Racial/ethnic differences merit further investigation.