Older Adults With Obesity May Have Fewer Years of Healthy Life

A study published in the International Journal of Obesity suggested persons with a higher body mass index (BMI) might live as long as those with a lower BMI, but with fewer years spent in good health, reports ScienceDaily . At 60 years old, obese Singaporeans can expect about six more years of remaining life with limited physical function and about five fewer years of remaining life without this limitation versus those with normal weight. Meanwhile, obese 60-year-olds with limited activities of daily living could expect 3.5 more years of remaining life compared with non-obese persons, and 3.5 fewer years of remaining life without this limitation. The research found that these patterns also hold for persons aged 70 and 80, and no matter their gender, ethnicity, or level of education. "Our study suggests that health systems, social, and community services in aging populations need to continue focusing on promoting normal weight as well as maintaining physical abilities of older adults in order to increase healthy life years," said Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School Professor Chan Wei-Ming Angelique.