Association Between Adiposity in Midlife and Older Age and Risk of Diabetes in Older Adults

Abstract
Incidence of diabetes in the United States has doubled in the past 15 years, and is highest among adults 65 to 79 years of age.1 Approximately 70% of US men and women 60 years of age and older are overweight or obese (body mass index [BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared] ≥ 25).2 Adiposity is a well-recognized risk factor for type 2 diabetes among young and middle-aged adults,3-10 however, the relationships between different measures of body composition and diabetes in older adults (≥ 65 years of age) are not well described. Changes in body composition are known to occur with aging, including increase of fat mass, loss of muscle mass, redistribution of adipose tissue, and height shrinkage.