Physical impairment and body weight history in postmenopausal women: the Women's Health Initiative. Issue 17 (8th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wanigatunga, Amal A; Sourdet, Sandrine S; LaMonte, Michael J; Waring, Molly E; Nassir, Rami; Garcia, Lorena; Bea, Jennifer W; Seguin, Rebecca A; Ockene, Judith K; Sarto, Gloria E; Stefanick, Marcia L; Limacher, Marian; Manini, Todd M
• Other Names: collab.
• Is Part Of: Public health nutrition. Volume 19:Issue 17(2016)
• Page Start: 3169
• Page End: 3177
• Publication Date: 2016-06-08
• Subjects: Body weight, -- Weight change, -- BMI, -- Physical impairment, -- Physical function, -- Disability; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition policy -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S1368980016001415
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-9800

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To examine whether weight history and weight transitions over adult lifespan contribute to physical impairment among postmenopausal women. Design: BMI categories were calculated among postmenopausal women who reported their weight and height at age 18 years. Multiple-variable logistic regression was used to determine the association between BMI at age 18 years and BMI transitions over adulthood on severe physical impairment (SPI), defined as scoring <60 on the Physical Functioning subscale of the Rand thirty-six-item Short-Form Health Survey. Setting: Participants were part of the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI OS), where participants' health was followed over time via questionnaires and clinical assessments. Subjects: Postmenopausal women ( n 76 016; mean age 63·5 (sd 7·3) years). Results: Women with overweight (BMI=25·0–29·9 kg/m 2 ) or obesity (BMI≥30·0 kg/m 2 ) at 18 years had greater odds (OR (95 % CI)) of SPI (1·51 (1·35, 1·69) and 2·14 (1·72, 2·65), respectively) than normal-weight (BMI=18·5–24·9 kg/m 2 ) counterparts. Transitions from normal weight to overweight/obese or to underweight (BMI<18·5 kg/m 2 ) were associated with greater odds of SPI (1·97 (1·84, 2·11) and 1·35 (1·06, 1·71), respectively) compared with weight stability. Shifting from underweight to overweight/obese also had increased odds of SPI (1·52 (1·11, 2·09)). Overweight/obese to normal BMI transitions resulted in a reduced SPI odds (0·52 (0·39, 0·71)). Conclusions: Higher weight history and transitions into higher weight classes were associated with higher likelihood of SPI, while transitioning into lower weight classes for those with overweight/obesity was protective among postmenopausal women.