TY - JOUR
T1 - What is a healthy weight for middle aged women?
AU - Brown, W. J.
AU - Dobson, A. J.
AU - Mishra, G.
N1 - Funding Information:
The research on which this paper is based was conducted as part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (The Universities of Newcastle and Queensland). The successful completion of the first stage of this project would not have been possible without the work of the entire research team. Our special thanks go to Jean Ball for her expert assistance with data management, and to our research assistants, Lyn Adamson, Phoebe Bissett and Joy Ellem. We are grateful to the Department of Health and Family Services (Australian Commonwealth Government) for funding.
PY - 1998
Y1 - 1998
N2 - OBJECTIVE: To explore associations between body mass index (BMI) and selected indicators of health and well-being and to suggest a healthy weight range (based on BMI) for middle aged Australian women. DESIGN: Population based longitudinal study (cross-sectional baseline data). SUBJECTS: 13,431 women aged 45-49 y who participated in the baseline survey for the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent of women had a BMI > 25 kg/m2. Prevalence of medical problems (for example, hypertension, diabetes), surgical procedures (cholescystectomy, hysterectomy) and symptoms (for example, back pain) increased monotonically with BMI, while indicators of health care use (for example, visits to doctors) showed a 'J' shaped relationship with BMI. Scores for several sub-scales of the MOS short form health survey (SF36) (for example, general health, role limitations due to emotional difficulties, social function, mental health and vitality) were optimal when BMI was around 19-24 kg/m2. After adjustment for area of residence, education, smoking, exercise and menopausal status, low BMI was associated with fewer physical health problems than mid-level or higher BMI, and the nationally recommended BMI range of 20-25 was associated with optimum mental health, lower prevalence of tiredness and lowest use of health services. CONCLUSIONS: Acknowledging the limitations of the cross-sectional nature of these data, the results firmly support the benefits of leanness in terms of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and gall bladder disease. The findings are moderated, however, by the observation that both low and high BMI are associated with decreased vitality and poorer mental health. The optimal range for BMI appears to be about 19-24 kg/m2. From a public health perspective this study provides strong support for the recommended BMI range of 20-25 as an appropriate target for the promotion of healthy weight in middle aged Australian women.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To explore associations between body mass index (BMI) and selected indicators of health and well-being and to suggest a healthy weight range (based on BMI) for middle aged Australian women. DESIGN: Population based longitudinal study (cross-sectional baseline data). SUBJECTS: 13,431 women aged 45-49 y who participated in the baseline survey for the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent of women had a BMI > 25 kg/m2. Prevalence of medical problems (for example, hypertension, diabetes), surgical procedures (cholescystectomy, hysterectomy) and symptoms (for example, back pain) increased monotonically with BMI, while indicators of health care use (for example, visits to doctors) showed a 'J' shaped relationship with BMI. Scores for several sub-scales of the MOS short form health survey (SF36) (for example, general health, role limitations due to emotional difficulties, social function, mental health and vitality) were optimal when BMI was around 19-24 kg/m2. After adjustment for area of residence, education, smoking, exercise and menopausal status, low BMI was associated with fewer physical health problems than mid-level or higher BMI, and the nationally recommended BMI range of 20-25 was associated with optimum mental health, lower prevalence of tiredness and lowest use of health services. CONCLUSIONS: Acknowledging the limitations of the cross-sectional nature of these data, the results firmly support the benefits of leanness in terms of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and gall bladder disease. The findings are moderated, however, by the observation that both low and high BMI are associated with decreased vitality and poorer mental health. The optimal range for BMI appears to be about 19-24 kg/m2. From a public health perspective this study provides strong support for the recommended BMI range of 20-25 as an appropriate target for the promotion of healthy weight in middle aged Australian women.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0031779905&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/sj.ijo.0800617
DO - 10.1038/sj.ijo.0800617
M3 - Article
C2 - 9665672
AN - SCOPUS:0031779905
SN - 0307-0565
VL - 22
SP - 520
EP - 528
JO - International Journal of Obesity
JF - International Journal of Obesity
IS - 6
ER -