Anthropometric indicators in older adults from Florianópolis: a population-based study conducted in 2002 and 2010

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe and compare specific anthropometric indicators in older adults from Florianópolis who participated in two population-based studies conducted in 2002 and 2010. A total of 865 older adults in 2002, and 1,657 older adults in 2010 were assessed for weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Significant increases in body weight of 3.0 kg for men and 4.9 kg for women were identified from 2002 to 2010 (P<0.05). The BMI also increased in both genders (+0.9 kg/m2 for men and +1.6 kg/m2 for women), while height increased only in women (+1.5 cm) (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed for WC or WHtR. BMI classification revealed an increase in the prevalence of overweight/obesity in both genders (P<0.05). However, when the subjects were classified based on WC and WHtR, no significant difference was observed between the two time points in either gender, highlighting the high percentage of older adults (> 70%) with inadequate WC and WHtR in 2002 as well as in 2010. The results suggest an increase in weight and BMI from 2002 to 2010 in older adults from Florianópolis. Furthermore, the prevalence of overweight/obesity characterized by BMI increased in women and men, whereas WC and WHtR remained unchanged between 2002 and 2010.