Commonly measured constructs of mobility included walking , climbing stairs , and lower extremity function .
There was heterogeneity in ways of defining and measuring mobility limitation in older adults living in the community .
Mobility is critical in maintaining independence in older adults .
This study aims to systematic ally review the scientific literature to identify measures of mobility limitation for community-dwelling older adults .
Anthropometric indices predict physical function and mobility in older Australians: the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate , in terms of function and mobility , the predictive value of commonly adopted anthropometric ' definitions ' used in the nutritional assessment of older adults , in a cohort of older Australians . DESIGN Prospect i ve cohort study - Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing ( ALSA ) . SETTING Adelaide , South Australia ( 1992 - 1994 ) . SUBJECTS Data were analysed from 1272 non-institutionalised ( 685 males , 587 females ) older adults > or = 70 years old in South Australia . Seven ' definitions ' commonly used in the anthropometric assessment of both under- and overnutrition ( including four using body mass index ( BMI ) , waist-to-hip ratio , waist circumference and percentage weight change ) were evaluated at baseline , for their ability to predict functional and mobility limitation assessed ( by self-report question naire ) at two years follow-up . All question naires were administered and anthropometry performed by trained investigators . The associations between the definitions and decline in mobility and physical function were evaluated over two years using multiple logistic regression . RESULTS A BMI > 85th percentile or > 30 kg m-2 or a waist circumference of > 102 cm in males and > 88 cm in females increased risk of functional and mobility limitations . Over two years , a loss of 10 % body weight significantly increased the risk of functional and mobility limitations . CONCLUSION Maintaining weight within older adults , irrespective of initial body weight , may be important in preventing functional and mobility limitations . Excessive weight is associated with an increased risk of limitation in function and mobility , both key components of health-related quality of life
Commonly measured constructs of mobility included walking , climbing stairs , and lower extremity function .
There was heterogeneity in ways of defining and measuring mobility limitation in older adults living in the community .
Mobility is critical in maintaining independence in older adults .
This study aims to systematic ally review the scientific literature to identify measures of mobility limitation for community-dwelling older adults .