Objective: To examine the relationship of BMI, waist circumference (WC), and weight change with use of health care services by older adults.
Research methods and procedures: This was a prospective cohort study conducted from 2001 to 2003 among 2919 persons representative of the non-institutionalized Spanish population > or =60 years of age. Analyses were performed using logistic regression, with adjustment for age, educational level, size of place of residence, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and presence of chronic disease.
Results: Obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)) and abdominal obesity (WC >102 cm in men and >88 cm in women) in 2001 were associated with greater use of certain health care services among men and women in the period 2001-2003. Compared with women with WC < or = 88 cm, women with abdominal obesity were more likely to visit primary care physicians [odds ratio (OR): 1.36; 95% confidence limit (CL): 1.06-1.73] and receive influenza vaccination (OR: 1.30; 95% CL: 1.03-1.63). Weight gain was not associated with greater health service use by either sex, regardless of baseline BMI. Weight loss was associated with greater health service use by obese and non-obese subjects of both sexes. In comparison with those who reported no important weight change, non-obese women who lost weight were more likely to visit hospital specialists (OR: 1.45; 95% CL: 1.02-2.06), receive home medical visits (OR: 1.61; 95% CL: 1.06-2.45), be hospitalized (OR: 1.88; 95% CL: 1.29-2.74), and have more than one hospital admission (OR: 2.31; 95% CL: 1.19-4.47).
Discussion: Obesity and weight loss are associated with greater health service use among the elderly.