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Changes in body weight and health-related quality-of-life in the older adult population

International Journal of Obesity volume 29, pages 1385–1391 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

No other study has ascertained the short-term impact of weight change on health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) on a national sample of older adults.

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the relationship between change in body weight and HRQL among the older adult population.

METHODS:

We carried out a prospective study from 2001 to 2003 of a cohort of 2364 persons, representative of the noninstitutionalised Spanish population aged 60 y and over. Weight changes during the period 2001–2003 were self-reported, and HRQL in 2003 was measured with the SF-36 questionnaire. Analyses adjusted for the principal confounders.

RESULTS:

Among nonobese women (body mass index (BMI) 18.5–29.9 kg/m2), and compared to those who underwent no important weight change, weight loss was associated with a clinically significant worsening in the role-physical, vitality, and social functioning SF-36 scales. Among obese women (BMI≥30 kg/m2), weight gain led to a reduction in HRQL for four of the eight SF-36 scales, while weight loss was associated with worse scores in role-emotional and mental health scales. Results were usually similar for men, though of lower magnitude. In both sexes, weight change was associated with a reduction of over 5 points on several physical and mental scales of the SF-36, which indicates a clinically relevant worsening in HRQL.

CONCLUSION:

Weight change is associated with worse HRQL among the older adults, principally women. From the stance of HRQL, it is desirable to prevent weight gain, especially among the obese, and weight loss, especially among the nonobese.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by FIS Grant 02/563, an unrestricted educational contract with AstraZeneca in Spain, and ISCIII (RCESP Red C 03/09 and Red G 03/065). Luz Maria León Muñoz was recipient of a fellowship from FIS Grant 02/563. Esther López García was supported by a contract ‘Juan de la Cierva’ from the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia. Funding bodies had no role in data extraction and analysis, writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to submit the paper for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    L M León-Muñoz, P Guallar-Castillón, J R Banegas, J L Gutiérrez-Fisac, E López-García & F Rodríguez-Artalejo

  2. Medical Department, AstraZeneca, Madrid, Spain

    F J Jiménez

Authors
  1. L M León-Muñoz
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  2. P Guallar-Castillón
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  3. J R Banegas
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  5. E López-García
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  6. F J Jiménez
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  7. F Rodríguez-Artalejo
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Correspondence to F Rodríguez-Artalejo.

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León-Muñoz, L., Guallar-Castillón, P., Banegas, J. et al. Changes in body weight and health-related quality-of-life in the older adult population. Int J Obes 29, 1385–1391 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803049

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