Body-weight change and physical functioning among young old adults.
OBJECTIVE
The main purpose of this study is to examine if body weight change is a potential risk factor for the onset of functional impairment across time among various functional domains.


METHODS
Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study, logistic regression models on the onset of functional impairment over three time points are estimated for young old adults.


RESULTS
Results indicate that weight gain is associated with greater risk of lower body mobility impairment. An increase in body mass index of greater than 5% increases the likelihood of the onset of lower body mobility functional impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
Study findings support the promotion of healthy weight management. Future studies in this area may want to investigate effective interventions that contribute to healthy weight maintenance among this cohort.
Jenkins
Kristi R
KR
University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1248, USA. kristirj@isr.umich.edu
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D003710:Demography; D015444:Exercise; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors