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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- It's more about where they store the fat than how much fat they have when it comes to predicting death rates among the elderly. A new study reveals older people with high waist-to-hip ratios (WHRs) have a higher mortality risk than those with a high body mass index.
Researchers in England wanted to know which measurement was the best way to predict mortality risks in the elderly. They compared the associations of BMI, waist circumference (WC) and WHR with mortality and cause-specific mortality. They studied 14,833 patients older than 75. The subjects underwent a health assessment, including body measurements and a follow-up for mortality.
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BMI turned out to be a poor way to assess risk in the elderly. The researchers say current guidelines overestimate the risk of having excess body fat for men and women older than 75.
High waist-to-hip ratio was the only measurement that could be linked to higher risks of death in both men and women.
The researchers report people with very low BMIs had the highest risk of death for total mortality and for major causes of death. Very underweight men -- those with a BMI less than 18.5 -- were found to be particularly at risk.
The authors recommend revising the current BMI-based health risk categories. They also suggest WHR should instead be used in this age group because of its positive relation with risk of death.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2006:84;449-460
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