Role of weight history on functional limitations and disability in late adulthood: the ARIC study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine associations of weight history with functional limitations and disability in white and African-American men and women.


METHODS
Data were from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study (n = 11,177). Associations of recalled weight status at age 25 and weight change from age 25 to ages 45 to 64 with functional limitations, activities of daily living (ADLs), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) at follow-up (ages 52 to 75) were examined using logistic regression.


RESULTS
Obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) at age 25 was associated with functional limitations and ADL and IADL impairment at follow-up in white and African-American men and women. For example, obese compared with normal weight (BMI, 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m(2)) white women had higher odds of mild [odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 1.97 (1.18 to 3.29)] and severe [9.81 (5.92 to 16.27)] functional limitations and ADL [3.48 (2.36 to 5.13)] and IADL [2.95 (2.00 to 4.33)] impairment. In African-American women, obesity was associated with higher odds of mild [2.71 (1.14 to 6.41)] and severe [6.01 (2.53 to 14.26)] functional limitations and ADL [1.82 (1.10 to 3.00)] and IADL [2.39 (1.47 to 3.90)] impairment. Similar associations were found in men. Compared with weight maintenance (+/-10 lbs), large weight gain (>30 lbs) from age 25 to ages 45 to 64 was also associated with functional limitations and ADL and IADL impairment in white and African-American men and women.


CONCLUSIONS
Maintenance of a healthy body weight throughout adulthood may play a role in preventing or delaying the onset of functional limitations and disability, resulting in increased quality of life and decreased health care costs.
Houston
Denise K
DK
Department of Nutrition, CB #7461, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Stevens
June
J
Cai
Jianwen
J
Morey
Miriam C
MC
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D044383:Black People; D001835:Body Weight; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American