Prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among older adults: findings from the Canadian National Population Health Survey.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of obesity among elderly persons in industrialized countries ranges from 15% to 20%. Little is known about variations of overweight within subgroups of the elderly population. This study examined the factors associated with overweight and obesity among older men and women.


METHODS
Data for 12,823 community-dwelling persons aged 65 and older from the 1996-1997 Canadian National Population Health Survey were examined. Predictors of overweight (body mass index [BMI] = 25.0-29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI = >30 kg/m2) relative to normal weight (BMI = 20.0-24.9 kg/m2) were examined using logistic regression analyses. Analyses were stratified by gender. The predictor variables included age, education, marital status, place of birth, region, smoking status, alcohol use, chronic conditions, physical activity, functional limitations, self-rated health, social support, and psychological distress.


RESULTS
Overall, 39% and 13% of Canadian older adults were classified as overweight and obese, respectively. Some of the risk factors for overweight were male gender, low education, being married, Canadian born, residence in the Atlantic provinces, no use of alcohol, comorbidity, physical inactivity, and limited functional status. Risk factors for obesity were similar to those for overweight except for being unmarried; American, European, and Australian born; lower and higher levels of alcohol use; poor self-rated health; and psychological distress.


CONCLUSIONS
The results could lead to more effective weight-control interventions that are designed to promote increased physical activity and healthy eating habits among obese older individuals.
Kaplan
Mark S
MS
School of Community Health and the. Institute on Aging, Portland State University, Oregon 97207, USA. kaplanm@pdx.edu
Huguet
Nathalie
N
Newsom
Jason T
JT
McFarland
Bentson H
BH
Lindsay
Joan
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012847:Single Person