History of obesity predicts later life mobility limitation

(SILVER SPRING, MD, March 24, 2007)-Long-term or a previous history of obesity exposes people to increased risk of walking limitation in later life, according to new research results published in the April issue of Obesity

Results demonstrated a clear link between people who had been obese over several decades and their risk for walking limitations later in life. According to principal author Sari Stenholm of the Department of Health and Functional Capacity, National Public Health Institute, Turku, Finland, "In this representative study from the Finnish population, we were able to recognize early risk factors of later life mobility limitation. In addition to the negative effects of current obesity, obesity in mid-life and duration of obesity over several decades seems to endanger walking ability in old age."

This study was based on the Health 2000 Survey, a comprehensive nationwide health interview and examination survey carried out in Finland from 2000 to 2001. Researchers collected information about weight at different time-points from 2055 women and 1337 men age 55 or older. Self-reported walking difficulty was assessed by asking "Are you able to walk about one-half a kilometer without resting?" Possible responses were without difficulty, with minor difficulties, with major difficulties, and not at all.

Study participants who were obese since the ages of 30, 40, or 50 had the highest limitations in walking. Those who have been obese since age 30 had a 9 times greater risk for a walking limitation, compared with someone who had never been obese.

Previous studies have associated obesity with limits in mobility but this is the first representative longitudinal study to analyze the effects that the age at becoming obese and the length of time being obese has on mobility limitation among middle-age and older people.

"Walking is an essential activity in daily life and difficulties in walking often precede subsequent disability and loss of independence" notes Dr. Stenholm. "The findings of this study suggest that avoiding excess weight gain throughout the lifespan may promote good health and functional capacity in old age."

"This study is important, noted Barry Popkin of the Obesity Society since walking is one of the major activities critical for mobility and ability to engage in many other activities. It is the method of exercise being most heavily promoted for older Americans. Further, this study only adds to the number of debilitating and crippling conditions such as type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer that are clearly linked with obesity." Obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI)>30kg/mē.

The Obesity Society is the leading scientific society dedicated to the study of obesity. Since 1982 The Obesity Society has been committed to encouraging research on the causes and treatment of obesity, and to keeping the medical community and public informed of new advances. For more information about The Obesity Society and obesity, visit www.naaso.org or call (301) 563-6526.