Social relationships and negative emotional traits are associated with central adiposity and arterial stiffness in healthy adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the role of social relationships and negative emotional traits in the development of central adiposity and arterial stiffness in healthy adolescents.

DESIGN

A prospective, longitudinal study examined 213 Black and White adolescents (50% Black, 51% female); 160 returned for a second assessment approximately 3 years later.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Psychosocial variables at both assessments were measured with the Measurement of Attachment Qualities (Carver, 1997), Social Relationships Index (study entry only; Uchino, Holt-Lunstad, Uno, & Flinders, 2001), Spielberger Trait Anger and Anxiety (Spielberger et al., 1979), and the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale (Cook & Medley, 1954). Central adiposity was assessed by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) at both assessments and arterial stiffness by pulse wave velocity (PWV) at the second assessment only.

RESULTS

Linear regression models controlled for demographic variables and body mass index showed that adolescents with less Supportive Relationships (beta = -.121, p = .05) and higher Trait Anger (beta = .117, p = .05) had increased WHR over time, adjusted for initial WHR. Those with higher Attachment Anxiety (beta = .211, p = .01) and Total Hostility (beta = .234, p < .01) had greater PWV. Psychosocial associations for PWV were more apparent among Blacks.

CONCLUSION

Psychosocial variables may be important in the development of central adiposity and arterial stiffness in adolescence.