Obesity - Health Effects - Physical Mobility
Findings by the University of North Carolina's
investigators indicate that obesity reduces functional independence in
the elderly, particularly among African-American women.
Obesity Health Study Method
The investigators studied the relationship between obesity and immobility
in a group of 11,261 Caucasian and African-American men and women between
the ages of 54 and 73 years. Obesity is assessed by calculating the body
mass index (BMI) from measured weight and height. Obesity is defined as
a BMI of 30 or greater according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood
Institute and NAASO's Practical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation
and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults and overweight is defined
as a BMI of 25 to 29.9.
Obesity Health Study Results
Sixty-eight percent of African-American Women reported difficulty in moving
around and other physical function, which was higher than the prevalence
of immobility in the African-American men (44%) and higher than both Caucasian
men (38%) and women (54%). Higher levels of overweight were significantly
related to increased risk of immobility within each of the ethnic and
gender groups. The risk of immobility was higher in normal weight African-Americans
(those who had a BMI of 21) compared with Caucasians but the risks became
parallel with higher levels of BMI. The relative risks for reduced mobility
were 1.4-2.0 times greater in obese people (BMI of >30) compared with
normal weight people (BMI 21).
Obesity Health Study Conclusion
In both Caucasian and African-American men and women an increasing degree
of overweight and obesity was associated with an increased risk of immobility.
Obesity is one potential modifiable risk factor which can compromise the
ability of the aging population to maintain their functional independence.
Source: Press Release: North American Association
For The Study Of Obesity 2002
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