305486
Association between physical function and body weight history in postmenopausal women
Obesity is a major risk factor for physical disability in older adults. The contribution of early onset of obesity and weight history to physical impairment later in life remains inconclusive.
METHODS:
Postmenopausal women (n=76,016, 63.5 ± 7.3 years) recalled weight and height at ages 18, 35, 50 years and reported it at their baseline measurement. Standard body mass index (BMI=kg/m2) categories were used to evaluate associations between early onset obesity and weight transitions on severe physical impairment (SPI), defined as scoring < 60 on the Rand 36-Item Health survey.
RESULTS:
Women reporting being overweight or obese at 18 years had a higher likelihood of SPI (1.48, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.32-1.65; and 2.07, 95% CI: 1.66-2.58, respectively) than normal weight counterparts. Weight changes from normal to high (overweight/obese) or underweight BMI’s yielded higher SPI rates [1.98 (1.82-2.12) and 1.34 (1.07-1.70), respectively] compared to women who remained weight stable. Women shifting from underweight to high BMI’s were more likely to have SPI [1.57 (1.15-2.14)]. High to normal BMI transitions resulted in a lower SPI rate [0.52 (0.39-0.70)]. Results were adjusted for demographics, behaviors, comorbidities and medications.
DISCUSSION:
Obesity in early adulthood was associated with higher severe physical impairment rates later in life. Weight transitions toward being underweight, overweight or obese also increased the risk of SPI. In contrast, overweight women who lost weight over their lifetime show reduced risk of impairment. Maintenance of a healthy body weight throughout life is important for reducing risk of physical impairment.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and preventionEpidemiology
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Compare the prevalence of significant physical impairment in women at across different body weights
Determine the association between transition in weight over a lifetime and occurrence of physical impairment in later in life.
Compare early to late life weight transitions to physical impairment later in life.
Keyword(s): Obesity, Disabilities
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a second year epidemiology PhD student at University of Florida, with a Masters in Public Health concentrating in epidemiology. My main research focus targets physical function in older adults. The projects I have been apart of include topics examining sedentary lifestyle and cardiovascular risk among older, postmenopausal women, brain aging and strength during late life, and physical activity interventions among healthy older adults. My dissertation topic focuses on physical function during late life.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.