Impact of functional limitations and medical comorbidity on subsequent weight changes and increased depressive symptoms in older adults.
OBJECTIVE
The primary goal of this study was to determine the effect of the onset of major medical comorbidity and functional decline on subsequent weight change and increased depressive symptoms.


METHODS
The sample included a prospective cohort of 53 to 63 year olds (n = 10,150) enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study. Separate lagged covariate models for men and women were used to study the impact of functional decline and medical comorbidity on subsequent increases in depressive symptoms and weight change 2 years later.


RESULTS
Functional decline and medical comorbidity were individual predictors of subsequent weight changes but not increased depressive symptoms. Most specific incident medical comorbidities or subtypes of functional decline predicted weight changes in both directions.


CONCLUSIONS
The elevated risk of weight gain subsequent to functional decline or onset of medical comorbidities may require the receipt of preventive measures to reduce further weight-related complications.
Forman-Hoffman
Valerie L
VL
Department of Internal Medicine, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Iowa College of Medicine, SE 605 GH, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. valerie-hoffman@uiowa.edu
Richardson
Kelly K
KK
Yankey
Jon W
JW
Hillis
Stephen L
SL
Wallace
Robert B
RB
Wolinsky
Fredric D
FD
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D014481:United States; D015430:Weight Gain