Body weight as a risk factor in the elderly

Article Abstract:

There is some reason to believe that the association between obesity and disease is an important medical consideration only for younger patients. This concept is of practical importance, since there may be limited benefits obtained from weight reduction by older patients who do not already have an obesity-related disease. To clarify the relationship between obesity and mortality among patients between 55 and 74 years of age, medical histories and body weight indices were examined for 4,710 white respondents. The body mass index has become the standard way to discuss relative weight, and is calculated by dividing the body weight in kilograms by the square of the subject's height in meters. The cutoff point for overweight is considered to be 27.8 in men and 27.3 in women; these figures are the 85th percentile for subjects between 20 and 29 years of age. When other factors that contribute to mortality, such as high blood pressure, smoking, and poverty, are taken into account, there is little contribution by obesity to the risk of mortality for men, and virtually none for women in this age group. The results indicate that weight loss should not necessarily be a medical concern for obese patients over the age of 55. However, there are some related factors which are worthy of further investigation. The data indicated that there was increased mortality among poor women of low weight between the ages of 65 and 74. This increased death rate may be due to poor nutrition, alcohol abuse, or untreated underlying illness. The reasons for the increase in death rate within this subgroup should be explored. Also, since this study involved only white patients, it is uncertain if the results will apply to patients of different ethnic backgrounds. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors, Obesity, Death, Body weight

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Sexual function in the elderly

Article Abstract:

Sexual functioning in the elderly has not been well studied. As the life span is extended, issues surrounding sexual activity of the elderly need to be addressed. Noninstitutionalized elderly, over 60 years of age and living in the community, were questioned regarding their sexual experiences. Data from the questionnaire revealed that 73.8 percent of married men and 55.8 percent of married women, 31.1 percent unmarried men and 5.3 percent of unmarried women were sexually active. Of the married men, 35.3 percent were unable to get or maintain an erection. Although the loss of a sexual partner may have contributed to the decreasing sexual activity with age, the fact that both married and unmarried men and women are affected implies that other factors are contributing to decreased activity. The lack of physical mobility, the prevalence of urinary incontinence or interrupted urinary stream, sedative medication and a history of a heart attack were the predominant reasons for sexual inactivity. At least one cup of coffee a day was associated with more sexual activity in women and nonuse was related to higher impotency in men. This positive relationship between coffee consumption and sexual potency requires further investigation. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Impotence, Sex customs

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Sexuality in older women

Article Abstract:

Physicians treating elderly women need to be aware of the sexual behavior of this group. Although there are inherent limitations in the research on this subject, some objective measures have been obtained. The physiological aspects of sexual arousal change little with age. There may be some reduction in the swelling of the labia and clitoris that accompanies arousal, and there may be some atrophy of the vagina and reduction in lubrication. However, these effects seem to be related to changes in estrogen levels, which may be reversed. The factors which correlate most strongly with sexual behavior in older women are freedom from disease and the availability of a partner. The authors discuss the effects on sex of several diseases of the aged, including dementia which sometimes results in increased drive and decreased social inhibition. Also important are the limitations on privacy found in many homes for the aging. Physicians should be reminded that the overall sexual behavior of a woman changes very little with age, as long as she has an appropriate partner and is healthy. Doctors should be prepared to discuss possible sexual difficulties with their older patients and provide whatever help might be available. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sex

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