Prevalence and predictors of recommendations to lose weight in overweight and obese older adults in Georgia senior centers.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence and predictors of health care professional recommendations to lose weight in Older Americans Act Nutrition Program participants in Georgia senior centers who met professional and/or governmental organization criteria for weight loss recommendation.

METHODS

Demographic, health, and weight loss recommendation information obtained from community-dwelling convenience sample (n=793; 2007-2008) of older adults via interviewer administered questionnaires.

RESULTS

Approximately 70% of participants met weight loss criteria, but only 36% of them received advice to lose weight in the past year. Report of weight loss recommendation was 52.0% for those 'obese with risks' and 19.8% for those 'overweight with risks'. Recommendation to lose weight was significantly (p<0.05) associated with body mass index, waist circumference risk, younger age, self-reported disability, and urban residence. When controlled for other health and demographic factors, recommendation to lose weight was significantly associated with heart disease, but not other chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, or joint pain.

CONCLUSION

Many older adults who may benefit from weight loss are not receiving advice to do so. Health care professionals need to be aware of this problem to assist community-dwelling older adults in better managing their health to help maintain independence and improve their quality of life.