The effects of weight changes after middle age on the rate of disability in an elderly population sample.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the association between weight loss and weight gain after middle age and the prevalence of late disability.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of baseline data from a longitudinal population study.


METHODS
Progetto Veneto Anziani Study.


METHODS
Two thousand nine hundred ten (1,187 male, 1,723 female) Italians aged 65 and older.


METHODS
Disability status (impairment in at least one activity of daily living) was analyzed according to current body mass index (BMI), BMI at age 50, and intercurrent weight changes (weight gain >10%, weight gain 5-10%, weight stable, weight loss 5-10%, weight loss >10%).


RESULTS
In subjects with normal weight at aged 50, weight gain of more than 10%, weight gain of 5% to 10%, and weight loss of more than 10% were significantly associated with disability (reference stable weight). Adjustment for major chronic diseases did not affect the relationship between weight gain and disability but attenuated the association between weight loss and disability. In participants with obesity at aged 50, weight gain of more than 10% and weight gain of 5% to 10% were associated with the presence of disability; adjustment for chronic diseases did not affect these associations. In these participants, no associations were found between weight loss and disability status.


CONCLUSIONS
Weight gain after middle age was associated with late disability, particularly in participants who were already obese. Weight loss after middle age was associated with disability only in normal-weight participants, and this association was attenuated after adjustment for chronic diseases.
Busetto
Luca
L
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University ofPadova, Via Giustiniani 2, Padova 35128, Italy. luca.busetto@unipd.it
Romanato
Giovanna
G
Zambon
Sabina
S
Calò
Elisa
E
Zanoni
Silvia
S
Corti
Maria Chiara
MC
Baggio
Giovannella
G
Enzi
Giuliano
G
Crepaldi
Gaetano
G
Manzato
Enzo
E
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*