Body mass index among elderly population and its association with neurological and musculoskeletal diseases in Aseer, Saudi Arabia

Introduction: An increase in BMI in the elderly may reduce life expectancy and increase the risk of death, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Frailty index, body weight, and pain levels all seem to be linked. Excessively low or high body weight may cause muscle weakness and decrease physical activity, placing the elderly at risk for frailty.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study to investigate BMI among the elderly and neurological and musculoskeletal diseases in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia conducted during the period from 5 January, 2020 to 26 February, 2020. The data were collected using a self-administered pre-designed questionnaire, and 503 full forms of eligible subjects were included.

Results: A total of 503 participants were included in this study, 61.2% of them were female, with a mean age of 67 ± 9. The mean BMI was 31.1 ± 7.5. Parkinsonism and hemiplegia were significantly associated with BMI (P = 0.003) and (P = 0.027), respectively. Osteoporosis and participants with no musculoskeletal problems were significantly associated with BMI (P = 0.001) and (P = 0.003), respectively.

Conclusion: We found a significant association between Parkinsonism and hemiplegia and BMI as these conditions were more common among overweight patients. Moreover, osteoporosis was also significantly associated with BMI, and most of the patients with osteoporosis were underweight.