Low fitness, obesity linked to later disability pension

Low fitness, obesity linked to later disability pension

(HealthDay)—Among men, low cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity in adolescence are associated with an increased risk for later receipt of a disability pension, according to a study published online Feb. 12 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Pontus Henriksson, Ph.D., from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, and colleagues conducted a population-based cohort study involving 1,079,128 male Swedish adolescents aged 16 to 19 years who were conscripted into the military between 1972 and 1994. Cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index (BMI) were measured at conscription.

Overall, 54,304 men were granted a disability pension during a median follow-up of 28.3 years. The researchers found a strong correlation for low with later receipt of a disability pension due to all causes (hazard ratio, 3.74 for lowest versus highest fitness decile) and for specific causes (psychiatric, musculoskeletal injuries, , circulatory, and tumors). Greater risk for receipt of a disability pension due to all and specific causes was seen in association with obesity, with the greatest risks for class II and III obesity. Across BMI categories, being moderately or highly fit was associated with a reduced risk for receipt of a disability compared with being unfit.

"Although additional well-designed studies are required to provide further evidence, these findings emphasize the importance of high cardiorespiratory fitness and healthy body weight during adolescence," the authors write.

More information: Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Journal information: Annals of Internal Medicine

Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Citation: Low fitness, obesity linked to later disability pension (2019, February 12) retrieved 18 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-02-obesity-linked-disability-pension.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

US teens' cardiorespiratory fitness has dropped in last decade: report

1 shares

Feedback to editors