Genetic and environmental influences on educational disparities in adult weight change: an individual-based pooled analysis of 11 twin cohorts
Authors' conclusion
Individuals with higher EA tend to have lower baseline BMI and slower BMI increases across adulthood. These associations are primarily genetically mediated.
Study context
- Population
- Twins aged 31–99 years (49% women) across 11 cohorts with educational attainment (EA) and repeated body mass index (BMI) measures
- Participants
- 59,490 twins11 cohorts
- Comparison
- Men vs Women
- Outcome
- Associations between EA and BMI trajectory components (baseline BMI and BMI change per decade)
Methodological details11 cohorts, linear mixed-effects models, structural equation modelling
- 11 cohorts
- Linear mixed-effects models
- Structural equation modelling
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Association of EA with baseline BMI and BMI change
| Group | Value | β baseline BMI | β BMI change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | mean 1.31 kg/m² per decade | −0.07 (95% CI −0.08 to −0.06) | −0.01 (95% CI −0.02 to −0.001) |
| Women | mean 1.32 kg/m² per decade | −0.14 kg/m² (95% CI −0.15 to −0.12) | −0.02 kg/m²/decade (95% CI −0.03 to −0.01) |
Value
Menmean 1.31 kg/m² per decade
Womenmean 1.32 kg/m² per decade
β baseline BMI
Men−0.07 (95% CI −0.08 to −0.06)
Women−0.14 kg/m² (95% CI −0.15 to −0.12)
β BMI change
Men−0.01 (95% CI −0.02 to −0.001)
Women−0.02 kg/m²/decade (95% CI −0.03 to −0.01)
Further pooled results
| Outcome | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic and environmental correlations of EA with baseline BMI | ||
| rA | −0.10 | −0.17 |
| rE | — not stated in the abstract | −0.07 |
| Genetic correlations of EA with BMI change | ||
| rA | −0.04 | −0.06 |
— not stated in the abstract
Original publication
Genetic and environmental influences on educational disparities in adult weight change: an individual-based pooled analysis of 11 twin cohorts. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 12 June 2026. doi:10.
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