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ShareJuly 13, 2005 — Obesity is associated with frailty in obese older women, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Frailty, a condition that occurs in some older people, is characterized by physiological vulnerability and increased risk of falls, personal dependency, and mortality.
The study, conducted by the Women's Health and Aging Studies group, analyzed data from 599 women aged 70-79 years with a body mass index over 18.5 kg/m. Those classified as overweight showed a significant association with pre-frailty (a precursor condition to frailty), while being obese was associated with both pre-frailty and frailty.
A pattern of defining frailty indicators was observed in all frail women in the study, including slowness, weakness, and low activity.
In addition to its association with obesity, this research demonstrated that frailty is associated with diabetes, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular occlusive disease, and osteoarthritis. With the increasing levels of obesity in America, older adults may have to face greater risk of frailty in addition to obesity related disease, say researchers.
About the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society publishes articles that are relevant in the broadest terms to the clinical care of older persons. Such articles may span a variety of disciplines and fields and may be of immediate, intermediate, or long-term potential benefit to clinical practice.
About the American Geriatrics Society
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is the premier professional organization of health care providers dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all older adults. With an active membership of over 6,000 health care professionals, the AGS has a long history of effecting change in the provision of health care for older adults. In the last decade, the Society has become a pivotal force in shaping attitudes, policies and practices regarding health care for older people. Visit www.americangeriatrics.org for more information.
About Blackwell Publishing
Blackwell Publishing is the world's leading society publisher, partnering with more than 600 academic and professional societies. Blackwell publishes over 750 journals and 600 text and reference books annually, across a wide range of academic, medical, and professional subjects.
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