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Obesity in old age may disable, not kill
A group of researchers from University of South Florida in Tampa suggests that obesity after
the age of 70 may not shorten a person's life, but it may lead to more years of disability.
The researchers based their conclusions on data from a study that followed 7,132 men and women age
70 and older for about 5 years. Obese adults in the study did have high rates of high blood pressure,
diabetes and arthritis Overall, obese adults were somewhat less likely to die during the study period, but
were more likely to develop a limitation that kept them from performing daily tasks.
According to this new study, it is not very clear why obesity does not seem to affect older adults' life
expectancy despite its link to greater physical limitations.
Obesity is a risk factor for arthritis of the knee and hip, potentially disabling conditions. Obesity and its
related problems may increase the risk of death at younger ages. But is a certitude that obese men and
women spent more of their later years with some physical disability.
According to Dr. Sandra L. Reynolds, the reasons for the greater disability found among obese elderly,
are uncertain also. One of major factor may be chronic inflammation in the body, a state thought to
contribute to illnesses such as heart disease.
NOTE: The Information on this site is provided for information only,
and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional.
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