Association between self-reported body mass index and active life expectancy in a large community-dwelling sample of older U.S. adults

Authors

• Haomiao Jia, Columbia University
• Erica I. Lubetkin, CUNY School of MedicineFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2022

Abstract

Background: Obesity may have a protective effect (greater survival) in older adults, a finding known as the "obesity paradox." This study examined the association between self-reported body mass index (BMI) and active life expectancy (ALE) among older U.S. adults.

Methods: Using the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey Cohort 15 (2012 baseline, 2014 follow-up), we estimated life expectancy and ALE by participants' baseline BMI and age using multi-state models. A participant was classified as in an active state if this person reported having no difficulty for any of these six activities of daily living (ADLs).

Results: Small differences in life expectancy were noted among persons in normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2), and obesity ranges (BMI 30 kg/m2 and higher). However, persons with obesity had a significantly lower ALE. ALE at age 65 was 11.1 (11.0-11.2) years for persons with obesity, 1.2 (1.1-1.3) years less than that for the normal weight and overweight persons (12.3 years for both, 12.2-12.4). Persons with class III obesity had a significantly lower life expectancy and ALE than normal weight persons. Although persons with class I or II obesity had a similar life expectancy as normal weight persons, they have a shorter ALE.

Conclusions: Although older adults with obesity have a similar life expectancy as normal weight persons, they have a significantly shorter ALE. Given the complex relationship of BMI and ALE, a "one size fits all" approach to weight management is not advisable.

Comments

This article was originally published in BMC Geriatrics, available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03021-7

Recommended Citation

Jia, Haomiao and Lubetkin, Erica I., "Association between self-reported body mass index and active life expectancy in a large community-dwelling sample of older U.S. adults" (2022). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cm_pubs/21