Year: 2007
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background and Purpose of this StudyObesity is a major health problem around the world.It causes high public health care costs, and several health problems.Physical function enables independence of older people and obesity worsens the age-related decline in physical function, which can lead to frailty and loss of independence.The aim of this study is to find out if the amount of body fat explains physical function difference and development in walking difficulty in three years time. Material and MethodsThis study is part of the Finnish Twin Study on Aging (FITSA).The selection criteria for study subjects included BMI and body fat (%) difference between the twin pairs.The other twin had to be normal weight (BMI 19-26) and the other one over weight (BMI 27 or more).The required body fat (%) difference was 10%.15 MZ and 28 DZ twins met these criteria.In cross-sectional analysis the comprised groups were normal weight and obese twins.10 meters and 6-minutes walking tests were used to assess the physical functioning.In the prospective longitudinal analysis the subjects were divided into four categories based on their walking habits and 2km walking abilities.Results were analyzed by using mean, SD, subject numbers and percentages.P-values are based on T-test with 95% confidence level. ResultsThe two weight groups had no statistically significant difference in body composition, diseases, physical activity or in walking tests.Among MZ twins the weight group difference in 10m walking time was 0.2s (p=0.657) and in DZ twins 0.3s (p=0.265).In 6min walking test the difference between the MZ twin groups was 8.1m (p=0.754) and between the DZ twin groups 18.8m (p=0.325).The development in walking difficulty was stronger among subjects who had done some adaptation in walking habits in the baseline or had some or more problems in walking.No statistically significant difference between the two weight groups was found in the development of walking difficulty. ConclusionThis study does not support the general belief that obesity has effect on physical functioning.The weaknesses of this study were that the subjects were relatively in good health and the amount of subjects was quite small.The strength of this study was the powerful study setting that was made possible because of the twin study subjects and objective laboratory measurements used in physical functioning tests.The study should be repeated with less selected and larger group of study subjects, where the twins are more discordant in body fat.
Author: Kaisa Kallio
Language: English
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2213543002