Abdominal fat distribution and functional limitations and disability in a biracial cohort: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the associations of abdominal fat and obesity with functional limitations and disability in late adulthood.


METHODS
Longitudinal, cohort study.


METHODS
African American and white men and women aged 45-64 y at baseline with measured waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and body mass index (BMI) who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study (n = 9416).


METHODS
Self-reported functional limitations, activities of daily living (ADLs), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) at ages 52-75 y.


RESULTS
Waist circumference, WHR, and BMI were positively associated with functional limitations and ADL and IADL impairment approximately 9 y later among African American and white men and women. For example, in African American women the odds ratios (95% CI) associated with a one standard deviation (s.d.) increment in waist circumference (13.3 cm) for severe functional limitations and ADL and IADL impairment were 2.36 (2.00-2.79), 1.41 (1.25-1.58), and 1.49 (1.34-1.66), respectively. In white women, the odds ratios (95% CI) were 2.66 (2.39-2.96), 1.60 (1.47-1.74), and 1.42 (1.31-1.53), respectively. Similar associations were found in men. A 1 s.d. increment in WHR (0.08 U) and BMI (5.06 kg/m2) produced similar results. The associations of waist circumference and WHR with functional limitations and ADL and IADL impairment were attenuated but, in general, remained statistically significant when BMI was added to the models.


CONCLUSIONS
Maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding increases in abdominal fat should be investigated for their potential to reduce the risk of functional limitations and disability in an aging population.
Houston
D K
DK
Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7461, USA.
Stevens
J
J
Cai
J
J
D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000473:pathology*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D001824:Body Constitution / Q000208:ethnology / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000208:ethnology; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio; D044465:White People