Overweight and Obesity and Multimorbidity in Community-Living Older Persons in the Philippines

Abstract

Background. Overweight and obesity, as well as the coexistence of multimorbidity, have been recognized as global health challenges. However, less is known about the prevalence of obesity and multimorbidity among older people in the Philippines. This study sought to determine the prevalence of obesity and multimorbidity among community-living older people.

Methodology. A cross-sectional analysis of older persons ≥60 years from the Focused Intervention for Frail Older Adults Research and Development Program (FITforFrail). Height and weight were measured by body mass index as underweight, <18.5 kg/m²; normal, 18.5-22.9 kg/m²; overweight, 23-27.5 kg/m²; and obese, ≥27.5 kg/m². Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of 2 or more chronic diseases, assessed as a self-reported physician’s diagnosis.

Results. The prevalence of obesity was 15.4%, which was significantly more common among women (p <0.013) and nonsmokers (p <0.006). Multimorbidity, including overweight/obesity, was reported by 77.9% of older persons, and among older persons with overweight and obesity, multimorbidity was present in 76.5%. A higher number of chronic diseases were reported by older persons who were overweight and obese (p <0.006). Significantly more overweight and obese older women reported having multimorbidity (p <0.049) compared to older men. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, musculoskeletal disorders and hyperuricemia were the most commonly reported chronic diseases among older persons with overweight and obesity.

Conclusion. The results of this study highlight the importance of overweight/obesity as a determinant of multimorbidity. Future research should look into gender differences in risk factors and multimorbidity patterns.