(21-05-09) The effect of obesity combined with low muscle strength on decline in mobility in older persons: results from the InCHIANTI Study.

Stenholm S, Alley D, Bandinelli S, Griswold ME, Koskinen S, Rantanen T, Guralnik JM, Ferrucci L.
[1] Longitudinal Studies Section, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA [2] Division of Welfare and Health Policies, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
Objective:Both obesity and muscle impairment are increasingly prevalent among older persons and negatively affect health and physical functioning. However, the combined effect of coexisting obesity and muscle impairment on physical function decline has been little studied. We examined whether obese persons with low muscle strength experience significantly greater declines in walking speed and mobility than persons with only obesity or low muscle strength.Design:Community-dwelling adults aged >/=65 years (n=930) living in the Chianti geographic area (Tuscany, Italy) were followed for 6 years in the population-based InCHIANTI study.Measurements:On the basis of baseline measurements (1998-2000), obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) >/=30 kg/m(2) and low muscle strength as lowest sex-specific tertile of knee extensor strength. Walking speed and self-reported mobility disability (ability to walk 400 m or climb one flight of stairs) were assessed at baseline and at 3- and 6-year follow-up.Results:At baseline, obese persons with low muscle strength had significantly lower walking speed compared with all other groups (P
Source: Int J Obes (Lond). 2009 Apr 21

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