Is There a Reversal in the Effect of Obesity on Mortality in Old Age?. (29th June 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cohen-Mansfield, Jiska; Perach, Rotem
• Other Names: Hagberg Bo A. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging research. Volume 2011(2011)
• Publication Date: 2011-06-29
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Aging -- Research -- Periodicals; 612.6705
• DOI: 10.4061/2011/765071
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-2204

Abstract

Abstract : Studies of obesity and its relationship with mortality risk in older persons have yielded conflicting results. We aimed to examine the age-related associations between obesity and mortality in older persons. Data were drawn from the Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Aging Study (CALAS), a national survey of a random sample of older Jewish persons in Israel conducted during 1989–1992. Analyses included 1369 self-respondent participants aged 75–94 from the Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Aging Study (CALAS). Mortality data at 20-year followup were recorded from the Israeli National Population Registry. Obesity was significantly predictive of higher mortality for persons aged 75–84, but from age 85 onwards, obesity had a protective effect on mortality albeit at a nonsignificant level. Being underweight was consistently predictive of mortality. Findings suggest that the common emphasis on avoiding obesity may not apply to those advancing towards old-old age, at least as far as mortality is concerned.