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Body weight dynamics and their association with physical function and mortality in older adults: the Cardiovascular Health Study.

TitleBody weight dynamics and their association with physical function and mortality in older adults: the Cardiovascular Health Study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsArnold, AM, Newman, AB, Cushman, M, Ding, J, Kritchevsky, S
JournalJ Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci
Volume65
Issue1
Pagination63-70
Date Published2010 Jan
ISSN1758-535X
KeywordsActivities of Daily Living, Age Factors, Aged, 80 and over, Body Weight, Cardiovascular Diseases, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Health Status, Humans, Longevity, Male, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Survival Rate, United States
Abstract<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>To estimate the associations of weight dynamics with physical functioning and mortality in older adults.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>Longitudinal cohort study using prospectively collected data on weight, physical function, and health status in four U.S. Communities in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Included were 3,278 participants (2,013 women and 541 African Americans), aged 65 or older at enrollment, who had at least five weight measurements. Weight was measured at annual clinic visits between 1992 and 1999, and summary measures of mean weight, coefficient of variation, average annual weight change, and episodes of loss and gain (cycling) were calculated. Participants were followed from 1999 to 2006 for activities of daily living (ADL) difficulty, incident mobility limitations, and mortality.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Higher mean weight, weight variability, and weight cycling increased the risk of new onset of ADL difficulties and mobility limitations. After adjustment for risk factors, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for weight cycling for incident ADL impairment was 1.28 (1.12, 1.47), similar to that for several comorbidities in our model, including cancer and diabetes. Lower weight, weight loss, higher variability, and weight cycling were all risk factors for mortality, after adjustment for demographic risk factors, height, self-report health status, and comorbidities.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>Variations in weight are important indicators of future physical limitations and mortality in the elderly and may reflect difficulties in maintaining homeostasis throughout older ages. Monitoring the weight of an older person for fluctuations or episodes of both loss and gain is an important aspect of geriatric care.</p>
DOI10.1093/gerona/glp050
Alternate JournalJ Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci
PubMed ID19386574
PubMed Central IDPMC2796878
Grant ListU01 HL080295 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC-85086 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01-AG-20098 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01-AG-15928 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01-AG-027058 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P30-AG-024827 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
HL-075366 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC-35129 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC-55222 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC-75150 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC-15103 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01-AG-023629 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC-45133 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC-85079 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States