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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design

Published on: May 31, 2021

BMI, body composition, and physical functioning in older adults.

Jean Woo¹, Jason Leung, Timothy Kwok

¹Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Jockey Club Osteoporosis Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong. jeanwoowong@cuhk.edu.hk

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)

|July 20, 2007

Summary

In older adults, higher body mass index (BMI) is linked to more daily living impairments. Fat mass, not muscle mass, is key for maintaining walking speed in seniors.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design

Published on: May 31, 2021

Area of Science:

Gerontology
Human Physiology
Public Health

Background:

Age-related decline in physical function is a growing concern.
Muscle and fat mass are critical for maintaining physical function in older adults.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is often used as a proxy for fat mass.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if BMI can predict physical functioning in older adults.
To compare the predictive value of BMI against detailed body composition measurements for physical function.

Main Methods:

4,000 community-dwelling adults aged 65+ were studied.
Measurements included dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for body composition, grip strength, and a 6-m walk test.
Participants were categorized by BMI using Asian health-risk criteria, and analyses adjusted for age, physical activity, and chronic disease.

Main Results:

Obese individuals (high BMI) showed significantly more impairments in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL).
Worst walking performance was observed in those with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2.
Higher fat mass, not appendicular muscle mass, correlated with faster walking speed after accounting for BMI.

Conclusions:

Fat mass is a more significant determinant of walking speed in older adults than appendicular muscle mass, even when BMI is considered.
BMI's utility in assessing physical function risk in older adults is limited, with body composition offering more insight.