Obese Senior Citizens Dont Increase Death Risk but
Become Ticking Bomb for Disability
In most developed countries middle-aged and elderly
adults are more likely to be obese than people in any other age group
Only severely obese
men increase risk of death.
Aug. 21, 2008 Being obese as a senior citizen may
not increase your risk of death above that of thinner seniors, but it is
a major contributor to increased disability in later life, which is
creating a ticking time bomb for health services in developed countries,
according to new research.
The research carried out at the Peninsula Medical
School in the South West of England shows that the higher an older
person's BMI, the more likely he or she was to develop mobility problems
(measured using a standard performance test) or to develop difficulty
carrying out everyday tasks.
The results also showed that, in older people, the
link between higher BMI and the risk of death is weak only severely
obese older men seemed to run this increased risk.
The research team worked with data on just under
4,000 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)
aged 65 and older and living in the community. Each participant had
their weight and height measured and their BMI (body mass index)
calculated and they were followed up for five years.
The researchers compared people in these BMI groups
-
● BMI of 20 to 24.9 (i.e. those of recommended weight), with those
who had a
● BMI of 25 to 29.9 ("overweight"),
● BMI of 30 to 34.9 ("obese"), or
● BMI of 35 or over ("severely obese").
Study finds Body Mass Index not the best indicator
of mortality
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Dr Iain Lang, who led the research from the
Peninsula Medical School, commented: "We have known for some time that
young and middle-aged adults who are overweight run a higher risk of
death and it was presumed that this held true for older people.
"In fact, our results show that the risk of dying
is higher only for the most severely obese but that all older people who
are overweight are at significantly increased risk of developing
problems with mobility and carrying out everyday tasks."
"This research, he added, is important because a
growing proportion of the population is aged 65 or over, and more and
more of these older people are overweight. In fact, in most developed
countries middle-aged and elderly adults are more likely to be obese
than people in any other age group.
These findings have huge significance for the
delivery of health care, both now and in the future. Increasing numbers
of older people and higher levels of overweight and obesity will lead to
a greater burden of disability and ill health and place an immense
strain on health and social services.
"The issue is likely to get worse as time goes on
and represents a ticking time bomb for health services around the
world."
The research team recommends that older people
should talk to their doctor or other health care professional about
their weight, and take their advice regarding slimming down if they are
overweight. The advice may include more exercise, a change in diet, or
both.
Lindley Owen, Consultant in Public Health at
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust, said: "Staying a
healthy weight can be a fun and relatively easy thing to do, even as
people get older. People don't have to join a gym or take on complicated
new diets. There are many everyday opportunities to stay active through
regular walking, gardening or social groups, while eating fresh,
nutritious food is enjoyable at any age.
"Our experience of running supported walking and
cycling groups has shown that older people benefit in many ways from
regular physical activity. Not only do they get fitter and physically
stronger but the enjoyment of spending time with friends in the open air
can give new confidence and a real zest for life.
"People are living longer but this study shows that
excess weight can have a real impact on the quality of people's lives
which can reduce the benefit of those extra years. We must do all we can
to encourage older friends or relatives to build enjoyable exercise into
their daily routine and develop good habits ourselves to take into our
retirement years.
Dr Gill Lewendon, Consultant in Public Health
Medicine, Plymouth Teaching PCT, added: "This report highlights the
problem of obesity in an increasingly ageing population. The PCT and
City Council work closely with a wide range of voluntary and statutory
agencies to provide increased opportunities for everyone to eat more
healthily and to move around a bit more. For those who are already very
overweight or obese, the PCT provides a comprehensive weight management
service for people of all ages. "
The research is published in the August 2008
edition of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
The Peninsula Medical School is a joint entity of
the University of Exeter, the University of Plymouth and the NHS in the
South West of England, and a partner of the Combined Universities in
Cornwall. The Peninsula Medical School has created for itself an
excellent national and international reputation for groundbreaking
research in the areas of diabetes and obesity, neurological disease,
child development and ageing, clinical education and health technology
assessment.
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