Obesity and underweight among Brazilian elderly: the Bambuí Health and Aging Study.

Abstract

The coexistence of obesity (body mass index, BMI > or = 30kg/m ) and underweight (BMI or = 2 hospitalizations in the previous 12 months. Both obesity and underweight were associated with increased morbidity. The association of underweight with T. cruzi infection, increased hospitalization, and low family income may reflect illness-related weight loss and social deprivation of elderly in this community. Aging in poverty may lead to an increase in nutritional deficiencies and health-related problems among the elderly.