%0 Journal Article
%T Physical Characteristics Vary According to Body Mass Index in Japanese Community-Dwelling Elderly Women
%A Hideki Nakano
%A Hiroaki Iwase
%A Jun Horie
%A Kayoko Shiraiwa
%A Koichi Naito
%A Koji Nonaka
%A Shin Murata
%A Teppei Abiko
%J -
%D 2018
%R https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics3040087
%X Abstract Background: Body mass index (BMI) is related to health in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical characteristics in underweight, overweight, and obese Japanese community-dwelling elderly women compared to normal-weight elderly women. Methods: The study participants included 212 community-dwelling elderly women. They were categorized as underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (18.5 ¡Ü BMI ¡Ü 22.9), overweight (23 ¡Ü BMI ¡Ü 24.9), and obese (BMI ¡Ý 25). Data on skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), number of trunk curl-ups performed within 30 seconds, knee extension strength, one-leg standing time, and walking speed were recorded. Results: In the underweight group, the number of trunk curl-ups was significantly lower than that of the normal-weight group ( p = 0.011) and the correlation between knee extension strength and walking speed was relatively higher than in the normal-weight group (r = 0.612 vs. r = 0.471). In the overweight group, the SMI was significantly increased ( p < 0.001), but knee extension strength was not increased ( p = 0.235) compared to that of the normal-weight group. In the obese group, one-leg standing time was significantly shorter than in the normal-weight group ( p = 0.016). Conclusions: Physical characteristics vary according to BMI and these findings are useful in assessing and planning interventional programs to improve and maintain physical function in elderly women. View Full-Tex
%K balance
%K body mass index
%K elderly
%K mobility
%K muscle strength
%U https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/3/4/87