Socioeconomic patterns of underweight and its association with self-rated health, cognition and quality of life among older adults in India

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 13; no. 3; p. e0193979
• Main Authors: Selvamani, Y, Singh, Pushpendra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 07.03.2018; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Analysis; Biology and Life Sciences; Body mass index; Cognition; Health aspects; Medicine and Health Sciences; People and Places; Quality of life; India
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193979

Underweight defined as body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 is associated with negative health and quality of life outcomes including mortality. Yet, little is known about the socioeconomic differentials in underweight and its association with health and well-being among older adults in India. This study examined the socioeconomic differentials in underweight among respondents aged ≥50 in India. Consequently, three outcomes of the association of underweight were studied. These are poor self-rated health, cognition and quality of life. Cross-sectional data on 6,372 older adults derived from the first wave of the WHO's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE), a nationally representative survey conducted in six states of India during 2007-8, were used. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were applied to fulfil the objectives. The overall prevalence of underweight was 38 percent in the study population. Further, socioeconomic status showed a significant and negative association with underweight. The association of underweight with poor self-rated health (OR = 1.60; p < .001), cognition (β = -0.95; p < .001) and quality of life (β = -1.90; p < .001) were remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, sex, place of residence, marital status, years of schooling, wealth quintile, sleep problems, chronic diseases, low back pain and state/province. The results indicated significant socioeconomic differentials in underweight and its association with poor self-rated health, cognition and quality of life outcomes. Interventions focussing on underweight older adults are important to enhance the overall wellbeing of the growing older population in India.