Fitness more important than slimness for aged?
Friday, December 28th, 2007According to a study published in the December 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, cardiovascular fitness may be a better predictor of longevity than adiposity, at least for those over 60.
Researchers tracked 2603 adults aged 60 years or older over a mean period of 12 years. The mean age for the group was 64.4 years; 19.8% were women. All were enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study and completed a baseline health examination during the period between 1979 and 2001.
Participants were assessed for fitness using a maximal exercise test, and adiposity was assessed using body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and percent body fat. Low fitness was defined as the lowest fifth of the sex-specific distribution of maximal treadmill exercise test duration. The distributions of BMI, waist circumference, and percent body fat were grouped for analysis according to clinical guidelines.
Some previous studies have indicated that the waistline is an excellent indicator of mortality, with waist measurements above 40″ (for men) commonly considered a danger signal. However, not all researchers agree with replacing BMI with waist circumference as a mortality indicator.
In this study, initial analysis of the 450 deaths that occurred during the follow-up period showed an apparent correlation between mortality and waist circumference that disappeared when the researchers adjusted for fitness.
“The association between waist circumference and mortality persisted after further adjustment for smoking, baseline health status, and BMI,” wrote the study authors, “but not after additional adjustment for fitness…. Fitness predicted mortality risk after further adjustment for smoking, baseline health, and either BMI, waist circumference, or percent body fat….”
Their conclusion: “Clinicians should consider the importance of preserving functional capacity by recommending regular physical activity for older individuals, normal-weight and overweight alike.”
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