Weight Loss Associated With Increased Mortality in Older Adult Women

Weight loss in older women was associated with increased mortality, while stronger grip strength and higher Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores showed lower mortality risk regardless of weight change, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

The study included 5039 women participants with an average age of 78.76 years (±6.92) who were part of the Long Life Study to the Woman’s Health Initiative. Long-term weight gain or loss was defined as an increase or decrease of 5% or more of baseline body weight.

“Our primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and our secondary outcomes were vascular death, and coronary heart disease (CHD),” stated study authors.

While findings showed cardiovascular outcomes or mortality was not related to weight gain, weight loss of 5% or more was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.66 (1.37-2.01) for all-cause mortality.

According to researchers, a hazard ratio of 0.51 (0.39—0.66) for all-cause mortality was observed in participants with the highest grip strength. The hazard ratio for the SPPB was 0.29 (0.21-0.40) when adjusted for changes in history CHD, weight, smoking, diabetes, and race.

Findings also showed lower risk for CHD and vascular death are associated with higher grip strength and SPPB, regardless of weight change.

“Although the present study could not determine causality because it is an observational design, these findings support efforts to improve mobility and muscle strength in older women and suggest that focusing on weight loss in older women needs to be reconsidered,” stated study authors.

Reference:
Underland LJ, Schnatz PF, Wild RA, et al. The impact of weight change and measures of physical functioning on mortality. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2022; 1-8. doi:10.1111/jgs.17626