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Variation in and correlates of body mass status of older singaporean men and women: results from a national survey.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Ostbye, T; Malhotra, R; Chan, A
Published in: Asia Pac J Public Health
January 2013

This study describes the body mass status of older (≥60 years) Singaporeans, using the international and Asian body mass index (BMI) classifications, assesses sociodemographic correlates of BMI, underweight, obesity, and "high-risk" BMI (≥27.5 kg/m(2)), and ascertains the relationship between body mass and important health outcomes. Prevalence of underweight, obesity, and high-risk BMI among 4371 older Singaporeans was 6.8%, 7.4%, and 18.6%, respectively. Women (vs men) and Malays and Indians (vs Chinese) were more likely to have obesity or high-risk BMI. Increasing education decreased the odds of obesity and high-risk BMI only among women. Prevalence and odds of various health conditions was similar in corresponding categories of the two BMI classifications. Whereas the prevalence of obesity is lower among elderly in Singapore than in many other countries, the prevalence of high-risk BMI is considerable. It is important to address high-risk BMI among them, with elderly of minority ethnic groups, especially females, being a priority.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Asia Pac J Public Health

DOI

EISSN

1941-2479

Publication Date

January 2013

Volume

25

Issue

1

Start / End Page

48 / 62

Location

China

Related Subject Headings

  • Thinness
  • Singapore
  • Sex Distribution
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Assessment
  • Qualitative Research
  • Public Health
  • Obesity
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
 

Citation

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Chicago
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Ostbye, T., Malhotra, R., & Chan, A. (2013). Variation in and correlates of body mass status of older singaporean men and women: results from a national survey. Asia Pac J Public Health, 25(1), 48–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539510393726
Ostbye, Truls, Rahul Malhotra, and Angelique Chan. “Variation in and correlates of body mass status of older singaporean men and women: results from a national survey.Asia Pac J Public Health 25, no. 1 (January 2013): 48–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539510393726.
Ostbye T, Malhotra R, Chan A. Variation in and correlates of body mass status of older singaporean men and women: results from a national survey. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2013 Jan;25(1):48–62.
Ostbye, Truls, et al. “Variation in and correlates of body mass status of older singaporean men and women: results from a national survey.Asia Pac J Public Health, vol. 25, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 48–62. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/1010539510393726.
Ostbye T, Malhotra R, Chan A. Variation in and correlates of body mass status of older singaporean men and women: results from a national survey. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2013 Jan;25(1):48–62.
Journal cover image

Published In

Asia Pac J Public Health

DOI

EISSN

1941-2479

Publication Date

January 2013

Volume

25

Issue

1

Start / End Page

48 / 62

Location

China

Related Subject Headings

  • Thinness
  • Singapore
  • Sex Distribution
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Assessment
  • Qualitative Research
  • Public Health
  • Obesity
  • Middle Aged
  • Male