Associations between body mass index and subjective health outcomes among older adults: Findings from the Yilan study, Taiwan
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Journal Volume
15
Journal Issue
12
Pages
2645
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Abstract
Previous findings on the associations between body mass index (BMI) and subjective health outcomes among older adults are inconsistent. The aims of this study were to explore the associations of BMI with health-related quality of life (HRQoL), self-rated health (SRH) and happiness among older adults. This study was part of the Yilan study, which was a community-based survey conducted in the Yilan city in Taiwan. A total of 3722 older adults were randomly recruited during 2012–2016. HRQoL was measured using the Short Form-12 Health Survey physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores and SRH and happiness were also evaluated. By hierarchical regression, after adjusting for covariates, compared with normal-weight participants, overweight did not have significantly different PCS scores (B = 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: ?0.45 to 0.85, p = 0.546) but obese had significantly lower PCS scores (B = ?0.97, 95% CI: ?1.68 to ?0.26, p < 0.0001); overweight and obese participants had significantly better MCS scores (B = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.40 to 1.61, p = 0.001 and B = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.60 to 1.88, p < 0.0001, respectively); overweight participants had significantly higher SRH scores (B = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.16 to 2.00, p = 0.022) but underweight had significantly lower SRH scores (B = ?2.88, 95% CI: ?4.81 to ?0.95, p = 0.003); overweight and obese participants had better happiness scores (B = 1.55, 95% CI: 0.45 to 2.66, p = 0.006 and B = 1.68, 95% CI: 0.49 to 2.88, p = 0.006, respectively). In conclusion, compared with normal-weight individuals, overweight individuals had better mental HRQoL, SRH and happiness but underweight older people reported poorer SRH and obese reported poorer physical HRQOL but better mental HRQoL and self-rated happiness. ? 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Subjects
Body mass index; Health-related quality of life; Older adults; Self-rated happiness; Self-rated health
SDGs
Other Subjects
aged; Article; body mass; controlled study; cross-sectional study; educational status; female; happiness; health status; health survey; human; ideal body weight; male; mental performance; obesity; physical performance; quality of life; self concept; Short Form 12; Taiwan; underweight; very elderly; obesity; psychology; quality of life; questionnaire; statistical model; statistics and numerical data; underweight; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Body Mass Index; Female; Health Status; Health Surveys; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Obesity; Overweight; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Taiwan; Thinness
Type
journal article