| Title | The skinny on sexual risk: the effects of BMI on STI incidence and risk. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2011 |
| Authors | Kershaw, Trace S., Anna Arnold, Jessica B. Lewis, Urania Magriples, and Jeannette R. Ickovics |
| Journal | AIDS and behavior |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Pagination | 1527-38 |
| Date Published | 2011 Oct |
| ISSN | 1573-3254 |
| Keywords | Adolescent, Adult, Body Mass Index, Connecticut, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Georgia, Humans, Incidence, Interviews as Topic, Male, Postpartum Period, Risk Factors, Risk-Taking, Sexual Behavior, Sexual Partners, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Socioeconomic Factors, Stress, Psychological, Thinness, Urban Population, Young Adult |
| Abstract | Few studies examine the influence of body mass index (BMI) on sexual risk. The purpose of this study was to determine whether BMI among 704 young mothers (ages 14-25) related to STI incidence and sexual risk. We examined the effect of BMI groups (normal weight, overweight, and obese) at 6 months postpartum on STI incidence and risky sex (e.g., unprotected sex, multiple partners, risky and casual partner) at 12 months postpartum. At 6 months postpartum, 31% of participants were overweight and 40% were obese. Overweight women were more likely to have an STI (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.11-2.89, P < .05) and a risky partner (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.01-2.08, P < .05) at 12 months postpartum compared to normal weight women. However, obese women were less likely to have an STI than normal weight women (OR = .57, 95% CI = .34-.96, P < .01). BMI related to STI incidence and sexual risk behavior. Integrated approaches to weight loss and sexual risk prevention should be explored. |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10995-010-0650-3 |
| Alternate Journal | AIDS Behav |
