Factors associated with body mass index changes among older adults: a ten-year follow-up

Abstract

To examine changes in body mass index (BMI) among older Brazilian adults and associated factors. Longitudinal, population-based study, conducted in São Paulo, Brazil. Adults aged 60 years or over (n = 1,796) from the first wave of data collection from the Health, Well-Being, and Aging Study (SABE Project) conducted from 2000 to 2010. Repeated mixed-effects linear regression was used to analyze longitudinal changes in BMI and to examine whether sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, and social behaviors were associated with these changes. Mean BMI decreased after 70 years. Men had lower BMI than women (β = -1.86, 95%CI: -2.35; -1.37). Older adults who consumed alcohol (β = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.06; 0.54), had more than one chronic disease (β = 0.19, 95%CI: 0.26; 0.72) and who did not perform physical activity (β = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.38; 0.74) had higher BMI. Subjects who smoked (β = -0.40, 95%CI: -0.76; -0.04) and who reported having eaten less food in recent months (β = -0.48, 95%CI: -0.71; -0.24) had lower BMI. In older Brazilians, several sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, and behaviors predict BMI. Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and growing sedentary behaviors in Brazil may have detrimental effects on BMI at older ages.

Características sociodemográficas associadas ao baixo peso e ao excesso de peso em adultos com 50 anos ou mais (ELSI-Brasil): diferenças entre sexos

“…Neste estudo, as mulheres solteiras/viúvas/divorciadas apresentaram maior chance de baixo peso do que as casadas, enquanto os homens solteiros/viúvos/divorciados apresentaram menor chance de excesso de peso. Dados do estudo Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento (SABE), conduzido no Município de São Paulo, demonstraram que pessoas casadas de ambos os sexos, com 70 anos ou mais, tinham IMC mais elevado do que as solteiras 48 . Um estudo realizado com adultos (≥ 30 anos) também comprovou maior chance de sobrepeso e obesidade entre os participantes que viviam com companheiro 49 .…”

“…É provável que os adultos mais velhos que vivem sem companheiro estejam mais vulneráveis aos desvios nutricionais do IMC, seja baixo peso ou excesso de peso. O matrimônio ocasiona mudanças no estilo de vida e na assistência de atividades diárias, como a aquisição e preparo dos alimentos, e até nos próprios hábitos alimentares, afetando o peso corporal 10 , 48 , 49 de maneira diferente entre os sexos.…”

Overweight in Older Adults: A Follow-Up of Fifteen Years of the SABE Survey

“…In a recent 15-year follow-up study, the authors reported that body weight stabilized up to the age of 65 and started to decrease after the age of 66 [ 25 ]. In another study carried out with the first three waves of the SABE study, which had a 10-year follow-up, a decrease in body weight was observed after the age of 70 [ 26 ].…”

“…These types of foods may be particularly attractive to older adults, who often face challenges in purchasing and preparing food [ 29 ]. Furthermore, the modernization of lifestyles results in reduced physical activity, further contributing to the increase in body weight [ 26 ].…”