Body Mass Index, Physical Activity, and the Risk of Decline in Overall Health and Physical Functioning in Late Middle Age
Xiaoxing Z. He, MD, MPH and
David W. Baker, MD, MPH
The authors are with the Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill.
Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Xiaoxing Z. He, MD, MPH, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, 676 N Saint Clair St, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60611 (e-mail: xing{at}northwestern.edu).
Objectives. We examined the relation between body mass index,exercise, overall health, and physical functioning.
Methods. We studied 7867 adults aged 51 to 61 years in 1992to 1996. Adjusted relative risks for health decline and newphysical difficulties were determined with logistic regression.
Results. Overweight and obesity were independently associatedwith health decline (adjusted relative risk [ARR] = 1.29 and1.36) and development of a new physical difficulty (ARR = 1.27and 1.45). Regular exercise significantly reduced the risk ofhealth decline and development of a new physical difficulty,even among obese individuals.
Conclusions. Maintaining ideal body weight is important in preventingdecline in overall health and physical functioning. However,regular exercise can reduce the risk of health decline evenamong individuals who cannot achieve ideal weight.
This article has been cited by other articles:
Q. Sun, M. K. Townsend, O. I. Okereke, O. H. Franco, F. B. Hu, and F. Grodstein Physical Activity at Midlife in Relation to Successful Survival in Women at Age 70 Years or Older
Arch Intern Med,
January 25, 2010;
170(2):
194 - 201.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
M. Krul, J. C. van der Wouden, F. G. Schellevis, L. W. A. van Suijlekom-Smit, and B. W. Koes Musculoskeletal Problems in Overweight and Obese Children
Ann. Fam. Med,
July 1, 2009;
7(4):
352 - 356.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
T M Manini and M Pahor Physical activity and maintaining physical function in older adults
Br. J. Sports Med.,
January 1, 2009;
43(1):
28 - 31.
[Full Text][PDF]
W J Nusselder, C W N Looman, O H Franco, A Peeters, A S Slingerland, and J P Mackenbach The relation between non-occupational physical activity and years lived with and without disability
J Epidemiol Community Health,
September 1, 2008;
62(9):
823 - 828.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
S. K. Kumanyika, E. Obarzanek, N. Stettler, R. Bell, A. E. Field, S. P. Fortmann, B. A. Franklin, M. W. Gillman, C. E. Lewis, W. C. Poston II, et al. Population-Based Prevention of Obesity: The Need for Comprehensive Promotion of Healthful Eating, Physical Activity, and Energy Balance: A Scientific Statement From American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, Interdisciplinary Committee for Prevention (Formerly the Expert Panel on Population and Prevention Science)
Circulation,
July 22, 2008;
118(4):
428 - 464.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
D. R. Bouchard, S. Beliaeff, I. J. Dionne, and M. Brochu Fat Mass But Not Fat-Free Mass Is Related to Physical Capacity in Well-Functioning Older Individuals: Nutrition as a Determinant of Successful Aging (NuAge)--The Quebec Longitudinal Study
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci,
December 1, 2007;
62(12):
1382 - 1388.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
C. Jackson-Elmoore Self-perceived weight status and exercise adequacy
Health Educ. Res.,
August 1, 2007;
22(4):
588 - 598.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
E. D. Taylor, K. R. Theim, M. C. Mirch, S. Ghorbani, M. Tanofsky-Kraff, D. C. Adler-Wailes, S. Brady, J. C. Reynolds, K. A. Calis, and J. A. Yanovski Orthopedic complications of overweight in children and adolescents.
Pediatrics,
June 1, 2006;
117(6):
2167 - 2174.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]