The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Nov 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyThe Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Study: design and methods.
As the number of older adults in the United States rises, maintaining functional independence among older Americans has emerged as a major clinical and public health priority. Older people who lose mobility are less likely to remain in the community; demonstrate higher rates of morbidity, mortality, and hospitalizations; and experience a poorer quality of life. Several studies have shown that regular physical activity improves functional limitations and intermediate functional outcomes, but definitive evidence showing that major mobility disability can be prevented is lacking. A Phase 3 randomized controlled trial is needed to fill this evidence gap. ⋯ Results of this study are expected to have important public health implications for the large and growing population of older sedentary men and women.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Nov 2011
Body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio as predictors of mortality in nonagenarians: the Vitality 90+ Study.
The associations of body mass index (BMI) and abdominal obesity with mortality among very old people are poorly known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of BMI, waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio with mortality in nonagenarians. ⋯ In nonagenarian men, low BMI and low WC predict increased mortality. In nonagenarian women, waist-to-hip ratio alone and adjusted for BMI is positively associated with mortality. The potential positive effects of overweight combined with WC warrant more detailed analyses in larger data. In all, future studies are needed to better understand the health and functional consequences of body composition among the oldest old.