Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This paper examines whether retirement differentially affects body mass index (BMI) patterns by occupation; occupation embodies differences in on-the-job physical demands as well as socioeconomic characteristics that could lead to variation in post-retirement BMI. METHODS: We use 12 years of national data from the US and hierarchical linear models to compare BMI trajectories among four broad occupational classes. RESULTS: We find that those in service and other blue-collar occupations have significant increases in the slopes of their BMI trajectories after retirement, whereas participants in white-collar occupations exhibit no change. This may be due to differences in the physical requirements across blue and white collar jobs or differences in health habits post-retirement. CONCLUSIONS: Retirement may provide an opportunity to help prevent obesity in older individuals, especially blue collar workers.