The Relationship between Obesity and Functional Status in the Korean Elderly: An Analysis of Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1998

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Aging and obesity are both positive determinants of chronic disease in the elderly. This study was done to examine the relationship between obesity and functional status and, to examine the relationship between comorbidity and the different levels of BMI among older Koreans. METHODS: A total of 920 community dwelling women and men who completed both the home questionnaire and medical examination that was conducted in 1998 were chosen as subjects. The proportion of subjects with prevalence of obesity-related diseases and functional limitation by NHLBI classifications was determined. Risks for functional limitation associated with comorbidity of obesity-related diseases and fat distribution were examined using multivariate adjusted logistic regression methods. RESULTS: Among 920 subjects studied, 91% were functionally independent. The underweight were one in ten and the overweight were one in four. The overall prevalence of functional limitation in a major activity among underweight was one in ten, but that of overweight or over was one in two. After multivariate adjustment, significant predictors for functional limitation in ADLs and IADLs were vision and hearing impairment, unemployed occupational status, depression, living with spouse, and a history of stroke. Though not significantly shown in the statistics, comorbidity (>or=3) of six obesity-related diseases had odds of 5.4 times and in obese elderly women the odds were 7.9 times. CONCLUSION: We suggest that there is a positive trend between overweight and functional limitation. Although there is no statistical significance, obesity in older Korean women had higher odds for functional limitation in ADLs and IADLs.