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Abstract

Background: Socio-demographic, lifestyle factors and physical activity are important in the understanding of obesity. The possibly direct or indirect nature of the associations among these factors and the eventual link to obesity is not well understood. We assess the indirect association between socio-demographic and obesity through lifestyle factors. Methods: A case-control study involving African American women conducted at Howard University Cancer Center. One hundred ninety eight participants gave information on anthropometric measurements, socio-demographic factors (age, marital status, income and education) and lifestyle factors. Path analysis was utilized to assess associations between socio-demographic factors and obesity through physical activity, smoking or alcohol consumption. Results: The mean age of the participants was 55±12 years, with 50% being obese (BMI≥30 kg/m 2 ). Obesity level decreased by approximately 17% for every one year level increase in education via its prior effect on vigorous physical activity. Age had a significant positive indirect effect on obesity through vigorous physical activity with obesity levels increasing by approximately 7% for every one year increase in age. Conclusions: Vigorous physical activity mediates the association between education and obesity as well as age and obesity.

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