• Assessment
    For the assessment of overweight/obesity in older adults, what is the effect of weight change on physical function and mortality?
    • Conclusion

      Research reported decreased physical function in subjects who had gained weight (20 lbs) or lost weight (10 lbs), as well as higher mortality rates for subjects who had unintentionally lost weight (5% to 10% of body weight over a period of three to five years) or whose weight had cycled. Studies regarding the effects of intentional vs. unintentional weight loss on physical function and mortality are limited; further research is needed in these areas.

    • Grade: II
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
    For the assessment of overweight/obesity in older adults, what is the effect of body composition on physical function and mortality?
    • Conclusion

      In older adults, studies demonstrated that muscle mass generally decreases and fat mass generally increases over time, even when weight is stable. Subjects with greater percentage of fat mass had increased risks of disability, mobility limitations and decreased physical function; research reported higher risks in women, with increasing body fatness compared to men. Research regarding the relationship between body composition and mortality reported conflicting results; more research is needed in this area.

    • Grade: II
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
    For the assessment of overweight/obesity in older adults, what is the effect of body mass index (BMI) on physical function and mortality?
    • Conclusion

      Studies reported that subjects with higher BMI had increased risks of disability, mobility limitations and/or decreased physical function. Research suggests a possible protective effect of a moderate increase in BMI on mortality; most studies reported a U-shaped relationship with increased mortality at lower and higher BMI levels, however, some studies report reduced mortality at overweight and obese BMI levels and increased mortality at underweight and obese BMI levels. Further research is needed regarding the effect of obesity on mortality.

    • Grade: II
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
    For the assessment of overweight/obesity in older adults, what is the effect of waist circumference or waist-hip ratio on physical function and mortality?
    • Conclusion

      Studies reported that subjects with higher waist circumference (>102cm in men, >88cm in women) or higher waist-hip ratio, had increased risks of disability, mobility limitations and/or decreased physical function, as well as an increased risk of mortality.

    • Grade: I
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.