The relationship among physical activity, obesity, and physical function in community-dwelling older women.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between obesity and physical function is not well understood. Physical activity may be a key factor impacting on the relationship between obesity and physical function.


METHODS
Subjects included 171 community-dwelling women (mean age = 74.3, SD = 4.3) participating in a 14-year follow-up study to a walking intervention trial. Measures of obesity [body mass index (BMI)] and physical activity (Modified Paffenbarger Questionnaire) were collected in 1982, 1985, 1995, and 1999. Physical function was assessed in 1999 using the Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ) and gait speed.


RESULTS
Measures of obesity from 1982 to 1995 and measures of physical activity from 1982 to 1995 were related to physical function in 1999. However, hierarchical regression analysis to predict physical function in 1999 controlling for the presence of chronic conditions indicated that physical activity from 1982 to 1995, and not obesity from 1982 to 1995, was an independent predictor of physical function (FSQ: adjusted R2 = 0.09, F = 4.68, P < 0.001; gait speed: adjusted R2 = 18.0, F = 9.41, P < 0.0001.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical activity appears to be as important if not more important than body weight in predicting future physical function.
Brach
Jennifer S
JS
Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. jbrach@pitt.edu
VanSwearingen
Jessie M
JM
FitzGerald
Shannon J
SJ
Storti
Kristi L
KL
Kriska
Andrea M
AM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D017698:Postmenopause; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016138:Walking