Physical Activity and Its Relationship with Body Weight in Older Adults

Purpose: To determine the relationship between calories intake, level of physical activity and
overweight/obesity in adults over 60 years in Celaya, Mexico.
Study Design: It was a cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Population: 754 adults between 60 and 70 years old from Day Care
Centers for the elderly from Celaya, Guanajuato, México between August 2014 and July 2015.
Methodology: We included a sample of 100 of adults, both genders, who signed the consent form;
the calories intake was measure with SNUT survey, physical activity with International Physical
Activity Questionnaire and measuring of overweight/obesity with Body Mass Index. Statistical analysis
was with Pearson’s r, and lineal regression equation between mean daily calories intake and Body
Mass Index and between physical activity (METS/min/week) and Body Mass Index. The variables
were categorized and it was calculated Chi squared test, p value, Odds Ratio and it was generated in
a logistic multivariable model.
Results: The sample was 100 adults between 60 and 70 years old. There was not a correlation
between caloric intake and Body Mass Index in males nor females (P>0.05). There was a good
negative correlation between physical activity and body mass index (r=-0.56) and a negative lineal
relationship (P<0.05). There was a relationship between physical activity and overweight/obesity (X2=
47.29, df 1 P=.00001) and OR=102.60. There was not a relationship between Mean Daily Caloric
Intake and overweight/obesity (X2= 0.84 dg 1 P=.36).
Conclusion: There is a strong negative correlation and lineal relationship between physical activity
and Body Mass Index. There is an relationship between physical activity and overweight/obesity in the
elderly from Celaya, Mexico.