Weight, BMI & Seniors
"We found no correlation between increased
body mass index and mortality among study participants," said Diehr.
"Instead, it appears that significant, unintended weight loss should
be of primary concern for seniors."
Information on weight-study participants
was gathered over a five-year period during home interviews, clinical
evaluations and other resources. After controlling for a number of clinical
variables including hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease,
researchers found that women with a body mass index of 20 or lower had
a higher mortality rate than others. (Body mass index is defined by weight
in pounds divided by squared height in inches multiplied by 704.5. A BMI
of 20 or lower is equivalent to a 5-foot-5 inch woman weighing 120 pounds
or less.)
Long-term weight change among study participants
showed that subjects who lost 10 percent or more of their weight since
age 50 had a relatively high death rate - 15.9 percent for women and 30.3
percent for men over the five-year period studied. Among this group, weight
loss averaged 26 pounds for women and 29 pounds for men.
"While research has found a link between
high body weight and increased mortality for middle-aged people, this
finding doesn't appear to hold true for seniors, " Diehr said. "However,
there is a need for more studies that follow older adults for longer than
five years, and that examine the effect of weight on people's overall
health, as well as on longevity."
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For previous page, click Overweight
in Older Adults
Source: www.aphroditewomenshealth.com 2003
Weight Loss & Weight Management
An increase in physical activity is an important part of your weight loss
program. Physical activity improves your muscle/fat ratio - thus raising
metabolism for easier weight loss - and boosts your motivation to maintain
the weight you lose.
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