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The role of obesity duration on the association between obesity and risk of physical disability
Author(s) -
Wong Evelyn,
Tanamas Stephanie K.,
Wolfe Rory,
Backholer Kathryn,
Stevenson Christopher,
Abdullah Asnawi,
Peeters Anna
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.20936
Subject(s) - obesity , medicine , association (psychology) , duration (music) , physical activity , environmental health , physical therapy , psychology , art , literature , psychotherapist
Objective To relate measured obesity duration in mid‐life with subsequent incidence of physical disability over and above body mass index (BMI) attained. Methods Framingham Offspring Study is a longitudinal study that began in 1971. Examination 5 (1991‐1995; “baseline”) and disability onset ascertained from examinations 6‐8 (2008) were used. About 2,095 disability‐free participants aged 45‐65 years at baseline were included. Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) duration was calculated between examination 1 and examination 5. Cox regression was used to analyze time to disability. Results 204 participants developed disability (incidence rate = 7.9 per 1,000 person‐years). Obesity duration ranged from 0 to 22 years (mean of 2.0 years overall, 8.3 years for those with baseline obesity). Obesity duration increased risk of new disability (hazard ratio [HR] 1.07 per year of obesity; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05‐1.09). This association was attenuated on further adjustment for baseline BMI (HR 1.03; 95% CI 1.00‐1.06). Conclusions Being obese for longer during mid‐life increases the risk of later‐life disability over and above attained BMI. These results support the need for prevention of weight gain in young adults to avoid an increasing burden of physical disability in later life.