Body Measurements and Mortality: The Hidden Connection in Older Adults
As we age, our body undergoes various changes, and certain measurements like waist circumference (WC), calf circumference (CC), and body mass index (BMI) can tell a lot about our health. But there's another metric that's been under the radar: the waist-calf circumference ratio (WCR). This research delves into how these measurements, especially WCR, relate to mortality in older adults. The findings are intriguing: a higher WCR and a lower CC were linked to an increased risk of death from all causes, including cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, a lower BMI was associated with a higher risk of death from all causes and respiratory diseases. Interestingly, only WC was a predictor for cancer mortality. These insights underscore the importance of holistic health assessments, suggesting that it's not just about how much we weigh, but also how our weight is distributed.
Article Information
Association of waist-calf circumference ratio, waist circumference, calf circumference, and body mass index with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in older adults: a cohort study
BMC Public Health. Miao Dai et al.
Abstract
Background: Waist circumference (WC), calf circumference (CC), and body mass index (BMI) have been independently linked to mortality. However, it's not yet clear how the waist-calf circumference ratio (WCR) relates to mortality. This study aims to investigate the relationship between WCR, WC, CC, and BMI with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in older adults.
Methods: In the 2014 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, 4627 participants aged 65 years and older were included, and they were subsequently followed up in 2018. Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause and cause-specific mortality, based on WCR, WC, CC, and BMI.
Results: During a median follow-up of 3.4 years, 1671 deaths (36.1%) occurred. Compared to the second quartile of WCR, the highest quartile had a higher risk of mortality from all causes (HR 1.42, 95%CI 1.24-1.64), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (HR 1.88, 95%CI 1.38-2.56), and other causes (HR 1.37, 95%CI 1.15-1.63). The first and fourth quartiles of WC had HRs of 2.19 (1.00-4.79) and 2.69 (1.23-5.89), respectively, for cancer mortality. The highest quartile of CC was associated with a lower risk of all-cause and other-cause mortality, whereas the lowest quartile was associated with a higher risk of all-cause, CVD, and other-cause mortality compared to the second CC quartile. Additionally, the lowest quartile of BMI was associated with a higher risk of all-cause and respiratory disease mortality. Interaction analyses showed that the effects of CC on all-cause and CVD mortality were more pronounced in adults aged ≥ 80 years (P-interaction < .05).
Conclusions: Higher WCR and lower CC increased the risk of all-cause, CVD, and other-cause mortality. Lower BMI was associated with higher all-cause and respiratory disease mortality risk, while WC only predicted cancer mortality.
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