Associations Between Parity, Obesity, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Middle-Aged Women

Background: Several studies have demonstrated an association between parity and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in middle-aged women; however, some inconsistencies still remain in the literature after accounting for obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between parity and the risk factors of CVD while accounting for current obesity status in middle-aged women. Method: Data for this study came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2012. The final analytic sample included 2024 middle-aged women (40-60 years old). General linear models predicting CVD risk factors based on parity (nulliparous, 1, 2, 3, and >= 4) were established after controlling for study covariates. Least square adjusted means of CVD risk factors and associated 95% confidence intervals were estimated across parity and body mass index (BMI) levels. Results: Women with >= 4 parity (8.34%; standard error [SE] = 0.84) showed significantly distinct demographic characteristics and health conditions, including obesity (49.08%; SE = 3.55). There were no significant associations between parity and CVD risk factors after controlling for covariates. Follow-up analyses showed consistent results across parity; however, CVD risk factors were significantly increased with higher BMI levels, regardless of parity status. Conclusions: Our results suggest that parity is not a significant predictor of CVD risk factors in middle-aged women, whereas current overweight or obesity status is more important when explaining the risk of the development of CVD.