Obesity among elderly does not increase the risk of death

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008 5:56 am Email this article
Among people who were 65 or older, those who were obese, that is had a BMI of 30-35, were twice as likely to have difficulties with activities of daily living, but were no more likely to die during the five years of the study than those with a recommended BMI of 20-25 according to The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Subjects

Subjects: 3793 people, 65 or older

The study involved 3793 people, 65 or older.

 

Conclusion

Conclusion: Excess body weight impairs physical function, but does not increase the risk of death

“Excess body weight in people aged 65 and older is associated with greater risk of impaired physical function but not with greater mortality risk,” the researchers concluded.

 

Comment

Comment: Numerous studies have found this

Comment: Numerous studies have found that obesity in older people does not increase the risk of death the way it does in younger people.

REFERENCE

Lang I, Llewellyn D, Alexander K, Melzer D. Obesity, physical function, and mortality in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008 Jul 24.

AUTHOR’S CORRESPONDENCE

Iain Lang
Epidemiology and Public Health Group
Peninsula Medical School
Exeter, United Kingdom
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

 

Articles on the same subject can be found here:

• Death, Risk of

• Elderly