Nutr J
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
The impact of waist circumference on function and physical activity in older adults: longitudinal observational data from the osteoarthritis initiative.
We previously demonstrated that BMI is associated with functional decline and reduced quality of life. While BMI in older adults is fraught with challenges, waist circumference (WC) is a marker of visceral adiposity that can also predict mortality. However, its association with function and quality of life in older adults is not well understood and hence we sought to examine the impact of WC on six-year outcomes. ⋯ Elevated WC is associated with lower quality of life, a decline in physical function, and a slightly higher risk of disability over time. Intervention studies are needed to prevent functional decline in this high-risk population.