摘要：Introduction: Canadians are living longer than before, and a large proportion of them
are living with obesity. The present study sought to describe how older participants in
the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) who are living with obesity are
aging, through an examination of measures of social, functional and mental well-being.
Methods: We used data from the first wave of the CLSA for people aged 55 to 85 years
in this study. We used descriptive statistics to describe characteristics of this population
and adjusted generalized logistic models to assess measures of social, functional and
mental well-being among obese participants (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2
) relative to
non-obese participants. Findings are presented separately for females and males.
Results: More than half of the participants reported living with a low personal income
(less than $50 000); females were particularly affected. Less than half of the participants
were obese; those who were had higher odds of multimorbidity than those who were
not living with obesity (among those aged 55–64 years: odds ratio [OR] 2.7, 95% CI:
2.0–3.5 males; OR 2.8, 95% CI: 2.2–2.5 females). Low social participation was associated
with obesity among older female participants, but not males. Physical functioning
issues and impairments in activities of daily living were strongly associated with obesity
for both females and males. While happiness and life satisfaction were not associated
with obesity status, older females living with obesity reported negative impressions of
whether their aging was healthy, to a greater extent than males.
Conclusion: The odds of multimorbidity were higher among participants who were
obese, relative to those who were not. Obese female participants tended to have a negative
perception of whether they were aging healthily and had lower odds of involvement
in social activities, while both sexes reported impairments in functional health. The
associations we observed, independent of multimorbidity in older age, highlight areas
where healthy aging initiatives may be merited.
