不同肥胖指标与社区老年人认知功能关系研究

目的探讨不同肥胖指标(BMI、WC、WHR)与社区老年人认知功能的关系。方法采用分层随机抽样调查方法对上海宝山区大场社区366名65岁及以上居民进行面对面的问卷调查及进行肥胖指标测量,同时采用蒙特利尔认知评估基础量表(MoCA-B)进行认知评估。肥胖相关指标主要包括身体质量指数(BMI)、腰围(WC)和腰臀比(WHR)。结果年龄、教育、BMI及WHR是社区老年人认知的影响因素。大专及以上教育水平(OR=0.177,95%CI0.039~0.809)和高BMI(OR=0.886,95%CI0.807~0.972)是保护因素,年龄(OR=1.087,95%CI1.302~1.145)和WHR(~*10)(OR=2.255,95%CI1.330~3.823)是危险因素。结论WHR是社区老年人认知功能障碍的危险因素。对老年人的认知功能而言,控制腰臀比(WHR)比控制身体质量指数(BMI)更重要。     

山西省老年人群不同肥胖类型与慢性病危险因素

目的了解山西省老年人群不同类型肥胖现状及其与慢性病的关系。方法利用2010年山西省国民体质监测的数据,以山西省11个地市、60⁶9岁的老年人4 957人作为研究对象。采用体重指数(BMI)和腰围(WC)作为不同类型肥胖的测量指标。利用非条件logistic回归模型分析肥胖和各种慢性病之间的关系。结果山西省老年人群中超重率为44.64%,肥胖率为16.78%,向心性肥胖率为64.90%。55.21%患有一种及以上慢性疾病。高血压患病率(20.25%)居首位。分别调整BMI和WC,高血压、高脂血症、糖尿病、冠心病及骨关节疾病的患病率随BMI和WC的增高而上升。与正常BMI组相比,肥胖组患5种疾病的OR值为1.1769岁的老年人4 957人作为研究对象。采用体重指数(BMI)和腰围(WC)作为不同类型肥胖的测量指标。利用非条件logistic回归模型分析肥胖和各种慢性病之间的关系。结果山西省老年人群中超重率为44.64%,肥胖率为16.78%,向心性肥胖率为64.90%。55.21%患有一种及以上慢性疾病。高血压患病率(20.25%)居首位。分别调整BMI和WC,高血压、高脂血症、糖尿病、冠心病及骨关节疾病的患病率随BMI和WC的增高而上升。与正常BMI组相比,肥胖组患5种疾病的OR值为1.17².24;WC≥95 cm(男)、≥90 cm(女)组与WC正常组相比,5种疾病的OR值为1.072.24;WC≥95 cm(男)、≥90 cm(女)组与WC正常组相比,5种疾病的OR值为1.07¹.99,趋势检验P值均<0.05。消化性溃疡的患病率随BMI增高而下降,肥胖组与正常BMI组相比,OR值为0.381.99,趋势检验P值均<0.05。消化性溃疡的患病率随BMI增高而下降,肥胖组与正常BMI组相比,OR值为0.38¹.17;而消化性溃疡与WC无关。慢性支气管炎与BMI和WC均无关。结论高血压、高脂血症及骨关节疾病在肥胖组中患病率较高。糖尿病、冠心病患病率与向心性肥胖呈正相关。     

评估肥胖的四种指标与缺血性心脑血管病的关系

目的评价肥胖的4种指标与缺血性心脑血管病(ICCVD)风险关系。方法从国家卒中防治工程委员会2014年度对我国31省整群抽样建立的"脑卒中筛查和干预项目"数据库中,筛选年龄≥60岁的老年人111 472例,以是否发生ICCVD分为病例组17 420例和对照组94 052例,记录入选者体质量指数(BMI),腰围(WC),腰臀比(WHR),腰围身高比(WHtR)等,用BMI、WC、WHR、WHtR的现有标准评价肥胖,并比较4种指标评价肥胖与ICCVD风险关系,用非条件logistic回归模型和ROC曲线评价4种指标对中、高危ICCVD的风险效果。结果病例组BMI、WC、WHR、WHtR高于对照组(P<0.05)。在全因素校正logistic模型中,男女性超出正常体质量(18.50 kg/m^2≤BMI<24.00 kg/m^2)时,ICCVD风险增加,但仅女性相关显著(P趋势<0.01);男性肥胖(WC≥85.00 cm、WHR≥0.90、WHtR≥0.50),女性肥胖(WC≥80.00 cm、WHR≥0.85、WHtR≥0.50)时,ICCVD风险增高(P<0.01)。男性WC≥89.00 cm、WHtR≥0.515,女性WC≥84.00 cm、WHtR≥0.535时,与ICCVD风险呈正相关(OR>1.0,P<0.05),趋势效应优于BMI、WHR。ROC曲线分析显示,WHtR预测中、高ICCVD风险时,男性和女性ROC曲线下面积分别为[0.629(95%CI:0.623~0.634)、0.637(95%CI:0.632~0.640)],且均优于另外3种指标。结论 WC和WHtR对老年人群中、高危ICCVD风险均具有较好的预测效果,其中WHtR更具优越性。     

老年人体质量指数、腰围与血压关系的探讨

目的 探讨老年人血压与体质量指数（BMI）和腰围（WC）的关系。方法 入选2010年1月至2014年12月期间在解放军总医院门诊部干部诊疗科接受查体的离退休老干部449例，按BMI将研究对象分为BMI正常组、超重组和肥胖组。按WC将研究对象分为WC正常组和腹型肥胖组，对其基本情况和血压情况进行记录分析。结果 在超重组、肥胖组和腹型肥胖组中，男性和女性间检出率差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。超重者和肥胖者的24h平均收缩压（SBP24h）、24h平均舒张压（DBP24h）以及高血压检出率均显著高于正常BMI者；腹型肥胖者上述指标也显著高于WC正常者。相关分析证实BMI和WC与SBP24h、DBP24h均显著正相关。结论 本研究证实老年人群中BMI和WC与血压的正相关性，提示体质量管理在高血压防治中的重要性。     

社区人群腹型肥胖与高血压关系调查

目的探讨伴有腰围/身高比超标的腹型肥胖与高血压的相关性及危险程度。方法采用整群抽样方法,对542名年龄35岁以上社区居民进行问卷调查、现场体检和实验室检查。结果 (1)年龄、体重指数(BMI)、腰围(WC)与高血压患病率相关。(2)WC与高血压患病率的相关性高于BMI。(3)在腹型肥胖的高血压患者中WC与腰围/身高比(WHtR)的关系最密切。结论肥胖是高血压患病的主要危险因素之一,腹型肥胖者患高血压的比例更高,WC和WHtR均可作为评估腹型肥胖的指标,控制体重减少腹型肥胖对预防高血压具有重要的意义。     

单纯性肥胖儿童脂肪因子和炎症因子相关性研究

目的探讨肥胖儿童人群中炎症因子高敏感度C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)与脂肪因子、体质指数(BMI)、腰围(WC)之间关系。方法选取单纯肥胖儿童8-14岁(肥胖组)50例,正常儿童(正常组)30例。测定两组对象身高、体重,计算BMI[BMI=体重(kg)/身高(m~2)],采用软尺测量WC;取空腹静脉血3ml,测定hs-CRP;酶联免疫法测定血清脂联素(ug/ml),放射免疫分析法测定血清瘦素(ng/ml)。结果肥胖组BMI、WC、瘦素及hs-CRP结果值明显高于正常组(P0.05);肥胖组脂联素结果明显低于正常组(P0.05);肥胖儿童组血清hs-CRP与BMI、WC和瘦素呈正相关(P0.05),与脂联素呈负相关(P0.05)。结论脂联素、瘦素、WC、BMI与hs-CRP密切相关,肥胖儿童血清脂联素明显降低,hsCRP明显升高,其可以作为判断相关病情和进展的有效指标。     

腰围身高比值与2型糖尿病心血管病危险因素的关系

目的探讨腰围身高比值（WHtR）用于2型糖尿病（T2DM）评估腹型肥胖及其与心血管病危险因素的关系。方法新诊断T2DM患者4ll例，测血压、血糖、血脂、身高、体重、腰围（WC）、臀围，计算BMI、WHtR及腰臀比（WHR），分析WHtR、BMI、WC及WHR与身高的关系，各肥胖指数与血压、血脂的关系。结果（1）WHtR与血压、TG及HDL-C的相关程度均大于与BMI、WC、wHR的相关程度。WHtR与高血压、高TG及低HDL-C均显著相关。结论WHtR升高与血压、血脂关系密切，可作为评估腹型肥胖及预测T2DM心血管疾病危险因素指标之一。     

肥胖青少年2型糖尿病IMT与血清APN、hs-CRP及胰岛素抵抗的关系

目的 探讨血清脂联素(APN)、高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)及胰岛素抵抗与肥胖青少年2型糖尿病颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)的关系.方法 选择60例肥胖青少年,其中单纯肥胖38例(肥胖1组)、伴2型糖尿病22例(肥胖2组),另择30例体质量正常的健康青少年作为对照组.测量各组身高、体质量、血压、腰围(WC)、IMT,实验室检测空腹血糖(FPG)、空腹胰岛素(HNS)、APN、hs-CRP及血脂,计算BMI和HOMA-IR.分析APN、hs-CRP、HOMA-IR与IMT的相关性.结果 肥胖1、2组血清APN水平均显著低于对照组(P＜0.05或＜0.01),肥胖2组APN水平明显低于肥胖1组(P＜0.05).肥胖1、2组BMI、IMT、hs-CRP、FINS、HOMA-IR及WC明显高于对照组(P均＜0.05),IMT与APN呈负相关(r=-2.532,P＜0.05),IMT与BMI、HOMA-IR、WC、hs-CRP呈正相关(r=-0.253,P＜0.05),与BMI、HOMA-IR、WC、hs-CRP呈正相关(r分别为0.187、0.366、0.218、0.224,P均＜0.05).结论 肥胖青少年血清APN显著降低,IMT与APN降低、胰岛素抵抗、hs-CRP升高密切相关.     

腹围与血压、血脂、血糖的关系探讨

超重肥胖是心血管病的重要危险因素,而腹部肥胖者更容易合并高血压、血脂异常及糖尿病。目前采用体重指数(BMI)作为判断超重肥胖的依据,而一些文献认为腹围(WC)能更好的反映腹部脂肪的含量及其与肥胖相关疾病的关系。本文通过对BMI正常的健康体检资料进行分析,了解BMI正常人群WC血压、血脂、血糖之间的关系。1资料与方法1·1一般资料:对象系2003年至2006年我院健康体险男性,BMI正常而WC增大者305例(观察组),年龄23~73岁,平均42·1±9·2岁;另随机抽取同期体检、年龄性别配对、BMI和WC均正常的305例作为对照组。1·2方法:受检者均…     

长沙市老年人体重指数与健康相关生命质量的关系

目的探讨长沙市社区老年人体重指数(BMI)与健康相关生命质量(HRQOL)的关系。方法对被调查者进行身高、体重的统一测量,并用健康调查简表(SF-36)对生命质量进行评定。采用单因素方差分析对不同BMI老年人生命质量进行比较。结果与正常体重组老年人相比,体重过轻组老年人在SF-36的各维度得分均较低,超重组及肥胖组在生理领域(PCS)4个维度得分均较低,在心理领域(MCS)4个维度得分均较高,其中,超重组MCS生命质量显著较好,肥胖组生理机能维度显著较差(P<0.05)。结论 BMI分类不同的老年人SF-36各领域生命质量不同,超重及肥胖组MCS生命质量较好,肥胖组PCS生命质量较差。     

沧州农村地区老年人群体质量指数和腰围与高血压的相关性研究

目的探讨沧州农村地区老年人群体质量指数和腰围与高血压患病率的关系。方法按照整体随机抽样方法,对沧州某农村地区年龄60⁸9岁1560例居民进行问卷调查、医学体检,根据高血压诊断标准分为高血压组868例和非高血压组692例。以不同体质量指数及腰围分层,比较高血压患病率及相关危险因素。结果高血压组超重(33.6%vs 10.8%)、肥胖(38.8%vs 9.7%)、腹型肥胖(36.6%vs 19.4%)、超重伴腹型肥胖(23.3%vs6.1%)检出率明显高于非高血压组(P<0.01)。而腰围异常老年人群患高血压风险度是腰围正常者的2.41倍(95%CI:1.90689岁1560例居民进行问卷调查、医学体检,根据高血压诊断标准分为高血压组868例和非高血压组692例。以不同体质量指数及腰围分层,比较高血压患病率及相关危险因素。结果高血压组超重(33.6%vs 10.8%)、肥胖(38.8%vs 9.7%)、腹型肥胖(36.6%vs 19.4%)、超重伴腹型肥胖(23.3%vs6.1%)检出率明显高于非高血压组(P<0.01)。而腰围异常老年人群患高血压风险度是腰围正常者的2.41倍(95%CI:1.906³.042,P=0.000)。相关因素分析发现,不良饮食习惯、吸烟、饮酒为该地区老年人群超重或肥胖的高危因素。结论沧州农村地区老年人群超重和肥胖形势严峻,体质量指数和腰围与高血压关系密切,不良生活习惯为其高危因素,改善不良饮食结构是高血压等慢性疾病防治的根本。     

Adiposity parameters and cognitive function in the elderly: Application of “Jolly Fat” hypothesis to cognition

Obesity has a strong association with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, which have also been linked with dementia. While recent studies have reported an association between mid-life obesity and dementia, the role that later-life obesity may have is less clear. A total of 721 community-dwelling elderly (60–85 years old) were selected. Obesity parameters, like body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (WC), and percent body fat (PBF), as well as cognitive functions were measured over a period of approximately 2 years, and then the relationships between these variables were assessed. The change in cognitive function in the elderly was associated with the baseline assessment of BMI (linearly, β = 0.092), WC (quadratic, β = 1.333), and PBF (linearly, β = 0.097). Using multiple regression analyses, the differences exist in the change of cognitive function over time according to the sex. For men, increased obesity over time when obese in the baseline assessment (BMI, WHR, WC) were associated with a positive change in cognitive function. For women, a decreased obesity over time when obese in the baseline assessment (WHR) and an increased obesity over time when they had a normal adiposity in the baseline assessment (WC) were both associated with cognitive decline. The relationship between obesity and cognitive decline in the elderly is complex and some differences exist between the sexes. The application of the “Jolly Fat” hypothesis to cognitive function can only be applied to elderly men and not to elderly women.     

Prevalence and risk factors associated with obesity in the elderly in Barbados

This article's objective is to examine the epidemiology of obesity in the urban elderly population of Barbados. A random sample of adults >/= 60 years underwent comprehensive interviews and measurement of their weight, height, and waist circumference (WC). Outcomes of interest were obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m2), high-risk WC (men >/= 102 cm; women >/= 88 cm), and high risk of disease comorbidity (from BMI and WC criteria). Total, 1,508 persons participated (80% response). Women had higher rates of obesity (31% vs. 11.9%), high-risk WC (61.9% vs. 13.9%), and disease co-morbidity risk (51.1% vs. 17.5%) compared to men. Multivariate regression confirmed female gender as an independent predictor of outcomes (p < 0.001). Other predictors were less consistent: self-reported fair/poor health status and eating two (vs. three) meals daily were associated with obesity, whereas semiprofessional occupation and unmarried status predicted high-risk WC. Obesity is highly prevalent among elderly Barbadians. Public health interventions must target this group, particularly women.     

Waist circumference and weight change are associated with disability among elderly Hispanics.

BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested that both high and low body mass index (BMI) and weight change are related to functional disability in elderly populations. Elderly Hispanics have a high prevalence of both obesity and disability, yet few studies have examined their interrelationship in this population. Therefore, we examined these relationships in a mostly Puerto Rican group of Hispanic elders. METHODS: We investigated associations between a three-level disability score created from responses to a questionnaire on activities of daily living and BMI, waist circumference (WC), and weight change since age 50, using the proportional odds model in a cross-sectional study of 763 elderly Hispanics, aged 60 to 92 years, residing in Massachusetts. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, men with a WC > or =109.3 cm (vs <90 cm), or with a reported weight loss of -0.32 to -0.01 kg/year, or a weight gain > or =0.55 kg/year since age 50 (vs relatively stable weight, -0.01 to +0.21 kg/year [y]) were each significantly associated with an approximately threefold higher risk for greater disability. Women with a BMI > or =35 kg/m(2) were almost four times as likely to have higher disability as those with a BMI of 20 to 25 kg/m(2). Compared with women with a WC < or =85.2 cm, those with a WC of 91.5 to 106.6 cm were two times more likely, and those with a WC > or =106.6 cm were five times more likely, to have higher disability scores. Compared with relatively stable weight (-0.05 to +0.23 kg/y), weight gain > or =0.23 kg/year was associated with a twofold higher risk of greater disability among women. When BMI and WC were included in the same model, WC, but not BMI, remained significantly associated with disability. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal obesity (WC > or =109.3 cm for men, or WC > or =91.5 cm for women) and weight gain > or =0.55 kg/year after age 50 in men or > or =0.23 kg/year in women may increase the risk of disability among elderly Hispanics.     

Body composition and frailty profiles in Brazilian older people: Frailty in Brazilian Older People Study-FIBRA-BR

ObjectiveTo determine the association between body composition and frailty in older Brazilian subjects.Material and methodsThis is a Cross-sectional study called FIBRA-BR and developed in community Brazilian aged ≥65 (n = 5638). Frailty was assessed according to Fried et al. definition and body composition was determined by BMI, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio.ResultsThe lowest prevalence of frailty was observed in subjects with BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 kg/m². Subjects with a BMI <18.5 and those with elevated WC presented a higher risk of frailty compared to eutrophic subjects (odds ratio (OR) = 3.10; 95% CI: 2.06–4.67) and (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.03–1.27), respectively. Being overweight was protective for pre-frailty (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.4–0.58) and frailty (OR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.67–0.9). Obese older people presented a higher risk of pre-frailty only (OR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.09–1.51). Older people with high WC showed a greater proportion of frailty regardless of the BMI range.ConclusionUndernutrition is associated with pre-frailty and frailty in Brazilian elderly subjects, whereas obesity is associated only with pre-frailty. Overweight seems to have a protective effect against the syndrome. The excess of abdominal fat is associated with both profiles independent of the BMI.     

Relationship of abdominal obesity with cardiovascular disease,diabetes and hyperlipidaemia in Spain

Objectives To evaluate the relevance of obesity and abdominal obesity in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension in primary care patients and to ascertain whether waist circumference (WC) measurement should be included in routine clinical practice in addition to body mass index (BMI). Methods As part of the IDEA study, primary care physicians from Spain recruited patients aged 18–80 years. WC and BMI and the presence of CVD, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension were recorded. Finally, 17 980 were analysed. An age‐related increase in adiposity was observed. Overall 33% were obese by BMI, and 51% of subjects presented abdominal obesity by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP‐ATPIII) (WC > 102 cm for men and > 88 cm for women). Although there was a correlation between BMI and WC, they presented different distribution patterns. Women, but not men, with a high level of education, professional activity and smoking were associated with a lower WC. Abdominal obesity was significantly associated with CVD. Some subjects with abdominal obesity but lean by BMI, showed an increased prevalence of CVD and diabetes. Furthermore, abdominal obesity was strongly associated with dyslipidaemia and hypertension. Conclusions Half of the primary care patients studied showed abdominal obesity as measured by WC, whereas one‐third was obese by BMI. Abdominal obesity was strongly associated with CVD and diabetes, even in patients lean by BMI. WC should be included in the routine clinical practice in addition to BMI.     

Abdominal adiposity values associated with established body mass indexes in white, black and hispanic Americans. A study from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

PURPOSE: To determine whether white, black and hispanic young (17-39y) and middle-aged (40-59y) adults, and elderly (60-90y) Americans have the same values of abdominal adiposity (estimated from waist circumference (WC) at the established levels of overweight (body mass index, BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2). METHODS: Data (n=16,120) from the US Third National Health and Nutrition Survey were utilized. Age-adjusted linear regression analyses were used to estimate gender- and ethnic-specific WC values corresponding to overweight and obesity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also employed to determine the choices of WC values corresponding to the established BMI cut-off points. With ROC, gender- and ethnic-specific cut-off points producing the best combination of sensitivity and specificity were selected as optimal thresholds for WC values corresponding to the established BMI cut-off points. RESULTS: WC values associated with the established BMI were lower in blacks and hispanics compared with whites. In men, the WC values that corresponded to overweight ranged from 89 to 106 cm, from 84 to 95 cm, and from 87 to 97 cm in whites, blacks and hispanics, respectively. The corresponding values for obesity ranged from 99 to 110 cm, from 96 to 107 cm, and from 97 to 108 cm. The WC values that corresponded to overweight in women ranged from 82 to 91 cm, from 81 in to 90 cm, and from 83 to 92 cm in whites, blacks and hispanics, respectively. The analogous values for obesity ranged from 94 to 101 cm, from 93 to 100cm, and from 94 to 101 cm. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of higher WC values in blacks (particularly women) and hispanics at the same levels of BMI for whites challenges previously held assumptions regarding the role of abdominal adiposity in cardiovascular disease experienced by non-whites. Defining the anthropometric variables that satisfactorily describe reasons for ethnic differences in cardiovascular disease is one of the challenges for future research.     

Comparison of different obesity indices related with hypertension among different sex and age groups in China

Background and aimsTo compare the relationships of five obesity-related routine anthropometric indicators (body mass index (BMI), body adiposity index (BAI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)) for hypertension in both sexes and among different age groups of the Chinese population.Methods and resultsA total of 12,064 adult participants (5638 males and 6426 females) were included. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were used with binary logistic regression models to estimate the risk of hypertension for each obesity index. For the males, WHtR had the highest OR value in all age groups. The degrees of correlation between hypertension and the obesity indices for different age groups were different among the females. WC, BMI, and WHtR were the highest in the 18–44, 45–59, and ≥60 years age groups, respectively. Furthermore, we compared the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of each obesity index for the criterion of hypertension under the influence of risk factors. For the males, the AUC of WHtR was the largest (0.814, 0.710, and 0.662). WC (AUC = 0.820), BMI (AUC = 0.765), and WHtR (AUC = 0.668) tended to be the best criteria for hypertension among females in the 18–44, 45–59, and ≥60 years age groups respectively. In addition, BAI, as an obesity indicator proposed in recent years, has a positive association with hypertension except in 18–44 years women, which was not stronger than other obesity indicators.ConclusionsFor males, WHtR appears to be the best obesity index related with hypertension. For young, middle-aged, and elderly women, the best obesity indices related with hypertension are WC, BMI, and WHtR, respectively.     

The relationship between asthma symptoms and anthropometric markers of overweight in a Hispanic population.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have revealed the relationship between asthma and obesity, but the relationship with other markers of overweight and obesity has not yet been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationship between asthma symptoms and simple anthropometric indexes (BMI, waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)) as markers of overweight in an adult Hispanic population. METHODS: The data were obtained from the PRIT (Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risks in General Hospital Workers) 2001 survey. The participants were workers at the Hospital General de México in Mexico City and included 135 men and 398 women aged 43.8 +/- 11.9 and 43.0 +/- 10.5, respectively. Odds ratios for asthma symptoms at different BMI, WC, and WHR cutoff points associated with excessive weight were calculated. The likelihood ratios for having asthma symptoms in participants with various cutoff values of BMI, WC, and WHR also were calculated. RESULTS: Asthma symptoms were not related to anthropometric markers of overweight or obesity in men, while they were associated in women with WC cutoff levels of 80 and 85 cm, and BMI of 25 and 27 kg/m2. No level of WHR was related to asthma symptoms in women. In women, the likelihood ratio for asthma symptoms increased proportionally from WC levels of 73.5 cm up to 86 cm, while this risk increased significantly from BMI levels of 22 up to 29 kg/m2. CONCLUSION: Overweight as assessed by BMI and WC (but not WHR) was related to asthma symptoms in women in the studied population.     

Obesity paradox in elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases

Many elderly people are affected by cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and the majority of CVD patients are elderly people. For both patient populations, studies have shown that a high body mass index (BMI) is associated with lower mortality when compared to normal weight subjects, a fact commonly known as the "obesity paradox". Whether the correlation between obesity and better survival is based on methodological influences and other non-causal factors alone, or whether there is a causal link between obesity and a better survival in these subjects remains widely unexplored. The interrelation between aging, obesity, CVD, frailty and inflammation is a current issue of intensive research. For the elderly, parameters which include measures of body composition, fat and fat-free mass are of greater importance than BMI. Weight management in elderly people with cardiovascular diseases should aim at improvement and maintenance of physical function and quality of life rather than prevention of medical problems associated with obesity in younger and middle aged patients. Although many studies have shown that weight loss in elderly patients is associated with a poor prognosis, recent data demonstrate that intentional weight reduction in obese elderly people ameliorates the cardiovascular risk profile, reduces chronic inflammation and is correlated with an improved quality of life. An individual approach to weight management that includes the participation of the patient, co-morbidity, functional status, and social support should be aspired.