The association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Activity of Daily Living (ADL) in the population-based elderly at Buleleng and Tabanan regencies, Bali, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: High Body Mass Index (BMI) is known associated with mortality and morbidity among the elderly. However, other studies also show the opposite result in high BMI as protective against Activity Daily Living (ADL). Accurate quantification of the role of BMI in the incidence of disability in ADL is desirable in the face of the increasing prevalence of individuals with overweight and obesity and prolonged life span in the population. This study aims to investigate the association between Body Mass Index and Activity of Daily Living in population-based elderly.Method: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted in the urban and rural area of Bali Province, particularly in Buleleng and Tabanan regencies. BMI and Barthel Index score were recorded among respondents. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17 for Windows and aP-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 167 respondents, 100 and 67 from the urban and rural area of Bali Province respectively, was predominant by 93 (55.7%) females and followed by 74 (44.3%) males. Spearman test found a significant weak positive correlation between weight and Activity of Daily Living (r= 0.168; p<0.05). In addition, a significant weak positive correlation was also found between BMI and ADL (r= 0.158; p<0.05).Conclusion: Our study showed increased values of BMI is a protective effect on ADL.