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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

Obesity and mortality among older Thais: a four year follow up study

Authors: Patama Vapattanawong, Wichai Aekplakorn, Uthaithip Rakchanyaban, Pramote Prasartkul, Yawarat Porapakkham

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

To assess the association of body mass index with mortality in a population-based setting of older people in Thailand.

Methods

Baseline data from the National Health Examination Survey III (NHES III) conducted in 2004 was linked to death records from vital registration for 2004-2007. Complete information regarding body mass index (BMI) (n = 15997) and mortality data were separately analysed by sex. The Cox Proportional Hazard Model was used to test the association between BMI and all-cause mortality controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and health risk factors.

Results

During a mean follow-up time of 3.8 years (60545.8 person-years), a total of 1575 older persons, (936 men and 639 women) had died. A U-shaped and reverse J-shaped of association between BMI and all-cause mortality were observed in men and women, respectively. However there was no significant increased risk in the higher BMI categories. Compared to those with BMI 18.5-22.9 kg/m2, the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of all-cause mortality for those with BMI <18.5, 23.0-24.9, 25.0-27.4, 27.5-29.9, 30.0-34.9, and ≥35.0 were 1.34 (95% CI, 1.14-1.58), 0.79 (95% CI, 0.65-0.97), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.65-1.00), 0.67 (95% CI, 0.48-0.94), 0.60 (95% CI, 0.35-1.03), and 1.87 (95% CI, 0.77-4.56), respectively, for men, and were 1.29 (95% CI,1.04-1.60), 0.70 (95% CI, 0.55-0.90), 0.79 (95% CI, 0.62-1.01), 0.57 (95% CI, 0.41-0.81), 0.58 (95% CI, 0.39-0.87), and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.38-1.59), respectively, for women.

Conclusions

The results of this study support the obesity paradox phenomenon in older Thai people, especially in women. Improvement in quality of mortality data and further investigation to confirm such association are needed in this population.
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Metadata
Title
Obesity and mortality among older Thais: a four year follow up study
Authors
Patama Vapattanawong
Wichai Aekplakorn
Uthaithip Rakchanyaban
Pramote Prasartkul
Yawarat Porapakkham
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-10-604

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