Body mass index, physical activity, and the risk of decline in overall health and physical functioning in late middle age.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the relation between body mass index, exercise, overall health, and physical functioning.


METHODS
We studied 7867 adults aged 51 to 61 years in 1992 to 1996. Adjusted relative risks for health decline and new physical difficulties were determined with logistic regression.


RESULTS
Overweight and obesity were independently associated with health decline (adjusted relative risk [ARR] = 1.29 and 1.36) and development of a new physical difficulty (ARR = 1.27 and 1.45). Regular exercise significantly reduced the risk of health decline and development of a new physical difficulty, even among obese individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
Maintaining ideal body weight is important in preventing decline in overall health and physical functioning. However, regular exercise can reduce the risk of health decline even among individuals who cannot achieve ideal weight.
He
Xiaoxing Z
XZ
Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. xing@northwestern.edu
Baker
David W
DW
D001294:Attitude to Health; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012648:Self Care; D014481:United States