Socio-Demographic, Lifestyle, and Clinical Characteristics of Early and Later Weight Status in Older Adults: Secondary Analysis of the ASPREE Trial and ALSOP Sub-Study

Abstract

Objective: To identify the socio-demographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics associated with self-reported weight status in early (age 18 years) and late (age ≥ 70 years) adulthood. Methods: The number of participants was 11,288, who were relatively healthy community-dwelling Australian adults aged ≥70 years (mean age 75.1 ± 4.2 years) in the Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) sub-study. Self-reported weight at the study baseline (age ≥ 70 years) and recalled weight at age 18 years were collected. Height measured at baseline was used to calculate the BMI at both time points. Individuals were categorised into one of five ‘lifetime’ weight status groups: healthy weight (at both age 18 year and ≥70 years), overweight (at either or both times), non-obese (age 18 year) to obesity (age ≥70 years), obesity (age 18 years) to non-obese (age ≥ 70 years), and early and later life obesity (at age 18 years and ≥70 years). Results: Participants who experienced obesity in early and/or late adulthood were at a higher risk of adverse clinical characteristics. Obesity in late adulthood (regardless of early adulthood weight status) was associated with high proportions of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia, whereas obesity in early adulthood (regardless of late adulthood weight status) was associated with lower cognitive scores (on all four measures). Discussion/Conclusion: Healthy or overweight weight status in early and later adulthood was associated with more favourable socioeconomic, lifestyle, and clinical measures. Obesity in early adulthood was associated with lower cognitive function in later adulthood, whereas obesity in later adulthood was associated with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia.

Associations of body habitus and its changes with incident dementia in older adults

“…34 Another explanation is superior nutritional status and physical function, which provides resilience against illness. This is supported by findings from ASPREE-XT 35 and elsewhere 36 of lower mortality risk in overweight individuals. 35,36 Furthermore, an elevated BMI, especially in the overweight category, may indicate greater lean muscle and frequent engagement in strength training, which have been found to be protective against dementia and mortality in older adults.…”

“…This is supported by findings from ASPREE-XT 35 and elsewhere 36 of lower mortality risk in overweight individuals. 35,36 Furthermore, an elevated BMI, especially in the overweight category, may indicate greater lean muscle and frequent engagement in strength training, which have been found to be protective against dementia and mortality in older adults. [37][38][39] However, with further increased adipose tissue beyond a tipping point, these benefits may be outweighed by cardiovascular risks and reduced muscle.…”