Metabolic Syndrome and Gait Speed in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Okoro Catherine A, Zhong Yuna, Ford Earl S, Balluz Lina S, Strine Tara W, Mokdad Ali H
Primary Institution: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Hypothesis
Is there a relationship between metabolic syndrome and gait speed among U.S. adults aged 50 years and older?
Conclusion
Among women, gait speed impairment is associated with low HDL cholesterol and inversely with abdominal obesity.
Supporting Evidence
- 40.2% of men and 45.6% of women had metabolic syndrome.
- 29.3% of men and 12.5% of women had gait speed impairment.
- Low HDL cholesterol was significantly associated with gait speed impairment in women.
- Abdominal obesity was inversely associated with gait speed impairment in women.
- The study adjusted for various confounders including age and physical activity.
Takeaway
This study looked at older adults to see if having metabolic syndrome affects how fast they walk. It found that for women, low HDL cholesterol makes them walk slower.
Methodology
Cross-sectional analysis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding from unmeasured variables related to physical activity and other health conditions.
Limitations
The study design is cross-sectional, which limits causal inferences, and it may underestimate the prevalence of gait speed impairment.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 835 men and 850 women aged 50 years and older.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001 for gait speed impairment in women
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 0.26 to 0.89 for abdominal obesity; 95% CI = 1.07 to 5.63 for low HDL cholesterol.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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