Stratification of BMI categories among older adults within and across countries

Within- and across-country nutritional disparities were examined among older adults in six different countries at varying levels of development.

Cross-sectional study.

Older adults (aged 50 years or over) in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa using the Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE).

While the distribution of BMI categories varied by country, development-related characteristics were generally related to BMI category in a similar way: urban-living, educated and wealthier individuals were typically more likely to be in a higher BMI category. However, there were some exceptions that corroborate findings in more developed countries. Indeed, a pooled partial proportional odds model which included gross domestic product per capita interactions made the case for intertwining processes of development and the nutrition transition.

Population segments to be targeted by nutrition policy and programme implementation might need to change over the course of development.