The Relationship Between Body Weight And Physical Performance In Tianjin Older People

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the healthy of the elderly over the age of60 in the suburb of Tianjin and master the status of the elderly physical performance,explore its correlation with body weigh in order to establish the rehabilitation system and fitting the characteristics of the elderly rehabilitation exercise prescription for the elderly. In that way, early control of their body weight in the elderly can be paid more attention; delay the reduction of the physical performance, improve the quality of life and increase the life expectancy.Methods: First, we looked up related literature to have a comprehensive understanding of the body weight and physical performance. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 966 suburb-dwelling in Hangu, Tianjin, which were aged ≥60 years(average age 67.5±6.02, men 435, women 531). We collected the relative information about the questionnaire, the elder’s daily life habits, the degree of education and the physical activity. The mobility, balance, and muscle strength were assessed by walking speed, timed up-and-go test(TUGT), and grip strength,respectively. The subjects were categorized into three groups based on BMI(kg/m2)as follows: normal weight, 18.5 ≤ BMI ≤ 23.9; overweight, 24.0 ≤ BMI ≤ 27.9; and obese, BMI ≥ 28.0. Second, we collected the relative information again, and observed the change of body weight and physical performance, and whether there are differences in incidence of chronic diseases a year later.Result: 1.The relative grip strength decreased when BMI increased in both men and women(P for trend <0.001 and <0.001, respectively). 2. BMI may be negatively associated with TUGT performance in the women only. 3. There was no apparent association between walking speed and BMI in either sex, but after adjusting for age,walking speed was faster when BMI increased in women(P for trend= 0.0162). 4.The change of the body weight in every group has apparent significant(P<0.001),but the change of the physical performance and the mortality of the chronic disease has no significant.Conclusion: 1. The body weight of the suburbs is higher, underweight older people is small. 2. This study suggests that in older individuals, BMI is negatively associated with muscle strength. That means the higher BMI is associated with poor muscle strength in both sexes. The appropriate of resistance exercise can help improve the muscle strength of old people. 3. The relationship between the different body weight and the balance was not clearly. It can not represent the whole older people. Further analysis indicated that the relationship between BMI and physical performance. 4.Further research needs to be done to establish whether the change of weight can affect the physical performance and the mortality of the chronic disease. We need to pay more attention to control the body weight in early stage.