@article {1512,
	title = {High body fatness, but not low fat-free mass, predicts disability in older men and women: the Cardiovascular Health Study.},
	journal = {Am J Clin Nutr},
	volume = {68},
	year = {1998},
	month = {1998 Sep},
	pages = {584-90},
	abstract = {<p>Using data from the Cardiovascular Health Study, we studied the relation between body composition (fat mass and fat-free mass, assessed by bioelectrical impedance) and self-reported, mobility-related disability (difficulty walking or stair climbing) in 2714 women and 2095 men aged 65-100 y. In a cross-sectional analysis at baseline (1989-1990), disability was reported by 26.5\% of the women and 16.9\% of the men. A positive association was observed between fat mass and disability. The odds ratio for disability in the highest quintile of fat mass was 3.04 (95\% CI: 2.18, 4.25) for women and 2.77 (95\% CI: 1.82, 4.23) for men compared with those in the lowest quintile. Low fat-free mass was not associated with a higher prevalence of disability. In a longitudinal analysis among persons not reporting disability at baseline, 20.3\% of the women and 14.8\% of the men reported disability 3 y later. Fat mass at baseline was predictive of disability 3 y later, with odds ratios of 2.83 (95\% CI: 1.80, 4.46) for women and 1.72 (95\% CI: 1.03, 2.85) for men in the highest quintile of fat. The increased risk was not explained by age, physical activity, chronic disease, or other potential confounders. Low fat-free mass was not predictive of disability. The results showed that high body fatness is an independent predictor of mobility-related disability in older men and women. These findings suggest that high body fatness in old age should be avoided to decrease the risk of disability.</p>},
	keywords = {Adipose Tissue, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Body Composition, Cross-Sectional Studies, Disability Evaluation, Female, Geriatric Assessment, Health Surveys, Humans, Male, Obesity, Predictive Value of Tests, Walking},
	issn = {0002-9165},
	doi = {10.1093/ajcn/68.3.584},
	author = {Visser, M and Langlois, J and Guralnik, J M and Cauley, J A and Kronmal, R A and Robbins, J and Williamson, J D and Harris, T B}
}
