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Body mass index, life-style, and healthy status in free living elderly people in menorca island

  • Obesity in Menorca Elders
  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objectives

To assess the BMI, life-style, and healthy status, and explore relationships between these parameters, among Menorca’s free living elderly people.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey carried out in Menorca Island in 2009. A random sample (n=450) of the elderly population (≥65 years) was interviewed. Anthropometric measurements and a general questionnaire incorporating questions related to socio-demographic and life-style factors and health status were used.

Results

Approximately five per cent of elders were underweight and 60% overweight or obese. Underweight were positively and overweight and obesity negatively affected by age. The prevalence of central obesity, according to the WC cut-off points, was 66.8% in men and 85.1% in women. Low education, socioeconomic status and physical activity were risk factors for malnutrition and overweight/obesity. A possible cognitive impairment was found among elderly persons with BMI<22 kg/m2. A J-shaped association between BMI and hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, heart failure and other CV diseases, a U-shaped relation between BMI and diabetes mellitus, arthritis, and chronic bronchitis, and an inverted J-shape between BMI and gastric ulcer, osteoporosis & bone fractures, cancer, and prostatitis (in men) were found.

Conclusions

Both low and high BMI are associated with a wide range of prevalent conditions and diseases in Menorca elderly men and women.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of Balearic Islands, E-07122, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    A. Ferra, M. Del Mar Bibiloni, M. E. Zapata, J. Pich, A. Pons & Josep A. Tur

  2. Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Guillem Colom Bldg, Campus, E-07122, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    Josep A. Tur

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  1. A. Ferra
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  2. M. Del Mar Bibiloni
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Correspondence to Josep A. Tur.

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Ferra, A., Del Mar Bibiloni, M., Zapata, M.E. et al. Body mass index, life-style, and healthy status in free living elderly people in menorca island. J Nutr Health Aging 16, 298–305 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-011-0068-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-011-0068-7

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