Psychosocial correlates of unintentional weight loss in the second half of life in the German general population.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Unintentional weight loss (UWL) is common in older age and associated with adverse outcomes including mortality. The aim of the present study was to determine psychosocial correlates of UWL.

Methods

Data were derived from a large, nationally representative study of community-dwelling individuals in the second half of life (40 years and over) in Germany in 2014 (n = 7,933). Data on UWL were assessed in face-to-face interviews as unintentional loss of more than 5kg (11 pounds) in weight in the past 12 months, and data on psychosocial factors were recorded in self-administered questionnaires.

Results

Multiple logistic regressions revealed that UWL was positively associated with depressive symptoms and positive affect, whereas it was negatively associated with

SUBMITTER: Hajek A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5624619 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature