Prevalence and Trends of Slow Gait Speed in the United States

Abstract

Gait speed is a simple, effective indicator of age-related disease and disability. We sought to examine the prevalence and trends of slow gait speed in older Americans. Our unweighted analytic sample included 12,427 adults aged ≥ 65 years from the 2006–2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Gait speed was measured in participant residences. Persons with gait speed < 0.8 or <0.6 m/s were slow. Sample weights were used to generate nationally representative estimates. The overall estimated prevalence of slow gait speed with the <0.8 m/s cut-point was 48.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 47.4–49.8) in the 2006–2008 waves yet was 45.7% (CI: 44.3–47.1) in the 2014–2016 waves, but this downward trend was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). The estimated prevalence of slowness with the <0.6 m/s cut-point was 21.3% (CI: 20.4–22.3) for the 2006–2008 waves, 18.5% (CI: 17.5–19.4) for the 2010–2012 waves, and 19.2% (CI: 18.2–20.2) for the 2014–2016 waves, but there were again no significant trends (p = 0.61). Our findings showed that the estimated prevalence of slow gait speed in older Americans is pronounced, and different cut-points largely inform how slowness is categorized. Continued surveillance of slowness over time will help guide screening for disablement and identify sub-populations at greatest risk for targeted interventions.

Association between Dietary Practice and Gait Speed in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…A previous large study (n = 1327), conducted in Spain with an urban population aged 65 and above recruited from primary care, found a similar prevalence of around 40% [ 31 ]. However, our finding stands in contrast to a prevalence of about 50% estimated in the United States (US) [ 32 ]. This difference might be attributed to a difference in dietary practices between Lebanese and Spanish populations (i.e., Mediterranean) [ 31 ] and an American population (i.e., Western) [ 32 , 33 ].…”

“…However, our finding stands in contrast to a prevalence of about 50% estimated in the United States (US) [ 32 ]. This difference might be attributed to a difference in dietary practices between Lebanese and Spanish populations (i.e., Mediterranean) [ 31 ] and an American population (i.e., Western) [ 32 , 33 ].…”

Cross‐sectional associations between temporal patterns and composition of upright and stepping events with physical function in midlife: Insights from the 1970 British Cohort Study

“…The decline in physical functioning with age has significant implications for future health outcomes, including future frailty and disability risk. 1,2 The prevalence of impaired or low physical function, based on established cutoffs of, 3,4 affects 20%-50% of the general population, 5,6 with a higher incidence in older age, individuals with multiple long-term health conditions, smokers, and females. [7][8][9] The economic burden related to low function and subsequent frailty and disability is substantial, with annual healthcare costs ranging globally from €2290 to €192 618 per frail older adult per year.…”