RESEARCH ARTICLE


Is there a BMI Threshold Value Associated with a Lower Physical Capacity in Well-Functioning Older Adults? The Quebec Longitudinal Study



Danielle R. Bouchard*, 1, 2, Isabelle J. Dionne1, 2, Hélène Payette1, 3, Martin Brochu1, 2
1 Research Centre on Aging, Health and Social Services Centre- Sherbrooke University Institute of Geriatrics, Quebec, Canada
2 Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
3 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Article Information


Identifiers and Pagination:

Year: 2009
Volume: 1
First Page: 15
Last Page: 22
Publisher Id: TOOBESJ-1-15
DOI: 10.2174/1876823700901010015

Article History:

Received Date: 13/10/2008
Revision Received Date: 20/11/2008
Acceptance Date: 11/11/2009
Electronic publication date: 27/3/2009
Collection year: 2009

© 2009 Bouchard et al.

open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Centre de recherche sur le vieillissement, Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Sherbrooke, 1036, rue Belvédère Sud, Sherbrooke (Québec), J1H 4C4, Canada; Tel: (819) 821- 1150 #45303/45326; Fax: (819) 829-7141; E-mail: Danielle.Bouchard@USherbrooke.ca


Abstract

Objective:

Identify a body mass index (BMI) threshold above which physical capacity would be significantly affected.

Methods:

This study included 904 physically independent older individuals aged between 67 and 84 years old. Measures were: BMI, physical capacity score (PCS) computed according to five lower extremity physical tests, sum of reported chronic conditions and physical activity level.

Results:

When subjects were divided in 10 BMI groups, no clear threshold was identified in men since the PCS was only significantly decreased in the heaviest group, which correspond to a BMI of >34.5 kg/m. In women, a BMI of 30.5 kg/m was identified as the threshold above which the PCS was significantly decreased compared with the reference group.

Discussion:

Although no clear BMI threshold was identify in older men, a BMI of 30.5 kg/m in women was associated with a significantly lower physical capacity.

Keywords: Aging, body composition, BMI critical value, mobility.