Obesity and Mortality in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Jiska Cohen-Mansfield, Perach Rotem
Primary Institution: Tel Aviv University
Hypothesis
What are the age-related associations between obesity and mortality in older persons?
Conclusion
Obesity increases mortality risk for those aged 75–84, but may have a protective effect for those aged 85 and older.
Supporting Evidence
- Obesity was predictive of higher mortality for persons aged 75–84.
- From age 85 onwards, obesity had a protective effect on mortality.
- Being underweight was consistently predictive of mortality.
Takeaway
Being overweight can be bad for younger old people, but for really old people, it might actually help them live longer.
Methodology
Data were drawn from the Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Aging Study (CALAS) involving a random sample of older Jewish persons in Israel, with mortality data collected over 20 years.
Potential Biases
Generalizability may be limited due to exclusions in previous studies referenced.
Limitations
The study used BMI as a single indicator of body fat, which may not adequately reflect health risks.
Participant Demographics
Participants were older Jewish persons aged 75–94, with a mean age of 83.52 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.03
Confidence Interval
1.026–1.659
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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