Predictors of body mass index among low-income community-dwelling older adults

This study investigated demographic, behavioral, and functional predictors of overweight and obesity, using secondary data from 705 community-dwelling individuals aged 65 years and older receiving or seeking Medicaid personal care services. Half of the participants were obese, while an additional 28% were overweight. The relationships between body mass index (BMI) levels and selected independent variables were analyzed. Females were more likely to be obese, while those who were older (75 years or older), more cognitively impaired, and smoked were less likely to obese. Comparing obesity with being overweight, being female and reporting more pain symptoms increased the odds of being obese, whereas being older (75 years or older) and being more cognitively impaired decreased the odds. The especially high rates of obesity in Texas have a profound impact on personal health and may result in increased health care costs that threaten public programs as well.