title: Association of body mass index and waist circumference with successful aging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prediction of successful aging by midlife body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) was examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  BMI/WC were assessed in 4869 persons (mean age 51.2, range 42-63 in 1991/1993) and survival and successful aging (alive, no chronic disease at age >60 years, not in the worst age- and sex-standardized quintile of cognitive, physical, respiratory,cardiovascular, and mental health) ascertained over a 16-year follow-up, analyzed using logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographic factors and health behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  507 participants died, 1008 met the criteria for successful aging. Those with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) had lower odds of successful aging (odds ratio or OR) = 0.37; 95% confidence interval or CI: 0.27, 0.50) and survival (OR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.74) compared to BMI between 18.5 and 25 kg/m(2) . Those with a large WC (≥102/88 cm in men/women) had lower odds of successful aging (OR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.54) and survival (OR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.73) compared with those with a small waist (<94/80 cm in men/women). Analysis with finer categories showed lower odds of successful aging starting at BMI ≥ 23.5 kg/m(2) and WC 82/68 cm in men/women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Optimal midlife BMI and WC for successful aging might be substantially below the current thresholds used to define obesity.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U1018 Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, Hôpital Paul Brousse, 94807, Villejuif Cedex, France; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College, London, UK; Centre de Gérontologie, Hôpital Ste Périne,AP-HP, France.
authors.forename: Archana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh-Manoux
authors.forename: Séverine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabia
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bouillon
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Brunner
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grodstein
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elbaz
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kivimaki
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000502:physiology*