Is High Body Mass Index in Elderly Harmless?

A series of studies has defended higher body mass index (BMI) of the elderly as preventive, but the obesity may play an important role in the development of other diseases, such as, fasting hyperglycemia that may progress to diabetes and in contrast, decreased physical activity plays an important role in the onset of chronic diseases in the elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity, measured by body mass index (BMI) and the physical activity level, assessed by the IPAQ as risk factors for fasting hyperglycemia in older people. Methods: 803 elderly volunteers who participate in the project EPIDOSO II from the Center for the Study of Aging ? Federal University of Sao Paulo was part of the research. This is a prospective cohort study assessing the elderly in the SP. This elderly population is evaluated by many health professionals through medical, physical, nutritional and psychological evaluations. It is also performed blood exams for the measurement of fasting glucose. Laboratory results were related to body mass index and physical activity level of each individual. The results showed that obesity and decreased physical activity can lead to changes in fasting glucose. This study makes us rethink the tolerance of a higher BMI in the elderly population, proving the relationship of metabolic risk with increasing BMI and low International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ).