Relationship between healthy habits and obesity in older adults

Background. Epidemiological studies show that over the last two decades obesity has risen to become a major public health problem. Eating habits, lack of physical activity and the degree of obesity worsen over the years, turning adults and older adults overweight. The aim was to understand the relation between several modifiable factors (eating habits, physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and hours of sleep) and the body weight of older adults in the Community of Madrid. Methods. An observational retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. 342 older adults aged 65 to 96 years were recruited in Madrid. Anthropometric data (weight, height, waist circumference, body mass index, fat mass and muscle mass), diet (Predimed), physical activity (adapted IPAQ), sedentary lifestyle and hours of sleep were collected. Results. There were no major differences between the normal weight and the excess weight group. A greater number of healthy habits did not diminish the prevalence of excess weight. Conclusions. Lifestyle assessment should become an essential part of a new approach in geriatric clinical practice to reduce the burden of obesity in older adults.