Fitness and Mortality in Older Adults

Physical activity, not body composition, may be the key to reducing risk.

Although obesity and lack of physical activity are often associated with increased mortality in middle-aged adults, data are scarce and conflicting for older individuals. In this cohort study of 2603 adults aged 60 or older (mean age, 64), investigators retrospectively analyzed the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study data — including maximal exercise (treadmill) test results, body-mass index, waist circumference, and percent body fat — to determine the association of cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity, and mortality in older adults. All-cause mortality was determined from the National Death index and death certificates.

Over the 12 years of follow-up, 450 deaths occurred. The death rate per 1000 person-years improved as fitness improved acr…

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

Fitness and Mortality in Older Adults

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Reviewing Author