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The effects of weight and waist change on the risk of long-term mortality in older adults- The Bambuí (Brazil) Cohort Study of Aging

  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

We aimed to investigate the risk of long-term mortality associated with weight and waist circumference (WC) change among older adults, particularly the overweight and obese ones.

Design

Cohort Study.

Setting

The Bambuí (Brazil) Cohort Study of Aging.

Participants

Community-dwelling elderly (n=1138).

Measurements

Weight and WC were reassessed three years after baseline. Mortality risk associated with a 5% weight/WC loss and gain was compared to that of weight/WC stability by Cox models adjusted for clinical, behavioral and social known risk factors for death (age, gender, BMI, smoking, diabetes, total cholesterol, hypertension, Chagas disease, major electrocardiographic changes, physical activity, B-type natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein, creatinine, education and household income).

Results

Female sex was predominant (718; 63.1%). Mean age was 68 (6.7) years. Weight stability (696; 61.1%) was more common than weight loss (251; 22.1%) or gain (191; 16.8%). WC remained stable in 422 (37.3%), decreased in 418 (37.0%) and increased in 291 (25.7%) participants. There were 334 (29.3%) deaths over a median follow-up time of 8.0 (6.4-8.0) years from weight/WC reassessment. Weight loss (HR 1.69; 95% CI 1.30-2.21) and gain (HR 1.37; 95% CI 1.01-1.85) were associated with increased mortality, except in those who were physically active in which weight gain was associated with decreased mortality. Results were similar for participants who were overweight/ obese or with abdominal obesity at baseline (HR 1.41; 95%CI 1.02-1.97 and HR 2.01; 95%CI 1.29-3.12, for weight loss and gain, respectively). WC change was not significantly associated with mortality.

Conclusion

Although weight loss has been recommended for adults with excessive weight regardless of age, weight change might be detrimental in older adults. Rather than weight loss, clinical interventions should target healthy lifestyle behaviors that contribute to weight stability, particularly physical activity in overweight and obese older adults.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Alfredo Balena, 190-Belo Horizonte, Brazil, CEP 30130-100

    Alline M. Beleigoli, M. D. F. H. Diniz, M. F. Lima-Costa & A. L. Ribeiro

  2. Department of Cardiology, Erasmus Medical Center, room Bd38,’s Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

    E. Boersma

  3. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715-Belo Horizonte, Brazil, CEP 30190-002

    M. F. Lima-Costa

  4. Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Alfredo Balena, 110-Belo Horizonte, Brazil, CEP 30130-100

    J. L. Silva & A. L. Ribeiro

  5. Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190 - sala 246, Cep:30130-100, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Alline M. Beleigoli

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  1. Alline M. Beleigoli
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  2. M. D. F. H. Diniz
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Correspondence to Alline M. Beleigoli.

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Beleigoli, A.M., Diniz, M.D.F.H., Boersma, E. et al. The effects of weight and waist change on the risk of long-term mortality in older adults- The Bambuí (Brazil) Cohort Study of Aging. J Nutr Health Aging 21, 861–866 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-016-0858-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-016-0858-z

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