Aims: Obesity and the accompanying increased morbidity and mortality risk is highly prevalent
among older adults. As obese elderly might benefit from intentional weight reduction,
it is necessary to determine associated and potentially modifiable factors on senior
obesity. This study focuses on multi-morbid patients which make up the majority in
primary care. Methods: A total of 3,189 non-demented, multi-morbid participants aged 65–85 years were recruited
in primary care within the German MultiCare-study. A healthy lifestyle score (HLS)
was introduced. Body Mass Index (BMI, general obesity) and waist circumference (WC,
abdominal obesity) were used as outcome measures. Results: About one third of all patients were classified as obese according to BMI. The prevalence
of abdominal obesity was 75%. Adjusted for sociodemographic variables and disease
burden, participants with the highest HLS displayed a lower BMI (–0.7kg/m2, p<0.016) and WC (–4.3 cm, p<0.001). Additionally, in multivariate regression, higher
subjective and objective health-related impairment were associated with lower WC and
BMI. For individual lifestyle choices, higher physical activity (β=1.111; p<0.01)
and current smoking (β=–1.543; p<0.01) were associated with BMI. Conclusion: Assessment of WC as a measure of obesity in multi-morbid elderly seems inevitable
in order to identify individuals at risk. Yet, age-specific thresholds for the BMI
are needed likewise. The general practitioner plays an essential role in delivering
weight counseling to older patients and is able to assess relevant lifestyle choices.
Encouraging and promoting physical activity in older adults might a starting point
for weight reduction efforts.
