# Investigating the long-term impact of experiencing a major disaster in mid-adulthood on body mass index and waist circumference: A prospective birth cohort study

## TL;DR

This study finds that experiencing a major earthquake in mid-adulthood is linked to increased waist circumference, but not BMI, six years later.

## Contribution

The novel finding is a dose-response relationship between earthquake severity and increased waist circumference.

## Key findings

- Earthquake exposure was not associated with increased BMI after six years.
- Earthquake exposure was linked to increased waist circumference after six years.
- Greater earthquake severity was associated with greater increases in waist circumference.

## Abstract

•Examines association between earthquake exposure and weight-change at age 40 years.•The associations were adjusted by prior life course covariates.•Exposure to an earthquake did not increase body mass index at six-years follow-up.•Exposure to an earthquake increased waist circumference at six-years follow-up.•A dose-response relationship was evident by severity of exposure for waist circumference.

Examines association between earthquake exposure and weight-change at age 40 years.

The associations were adjusted by prior life course covariates.

Exposure to an earthquake did not increase body mass index at six-years follow-up.

Exposure to an earthquake increased waist circumference at six-years follow-up.

A dose-response relationship was evident by severity of exposure for waist circumference.