Sex differences in the association between dynapenic abdominal obesity and onset of disability in activities of daily living among adults aged ≥50 years: A prospective analysis of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing

Background: Sex differences in the longitudinal relationship between dynapenic abdominal obesity, i.e., impairment in muscle strength and high waist circumference, and disability in activities of daily living have not been investigated to date. Therefore, we aimed to examine sex differences in the longitudinal association between dynapenic abdominal obesity at baseline and the onset of disability in activities of daily living during a four-year follow-up period among Irish adults aged ≥50 years. Methods: Data from Wave 1 (2009–2011) and Wave 3 (2014–2015) of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing survey were analyzed. Dynapenia was defined as handgrip strength of <26 kg for men and <16 kg for women. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference of >88 cm for women and >102 cm for men. Dynapenic abdominal obesity was defined as having both dynapenia and abdominal obesity. Disability was defined as having difficulty with at least one of six activities of daily living (dressing, walking, bathing, eating, getting in or out of bed, using the toilet). Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to assess associations. Results: Data on 4471 individuals aged ≥50 years and free of disability at baseline were analyzed [mean (SD) age 62.3 (8.6) years; 48.3 % males]. In the overall sample, compared to no dynapenia and no abdominal obesity, dynapenic abdominal obesity was associated with 2.15 (95%CI = 1.17–3.93) times higher odds for incident disability at 4-year follow-up. This association was significant among men (OR = 3.78; 95%CI = 1.70–8.38) but not among women (OR = 1.34; 95%CI = 0.60–2.98). Conclusions: Interventions to prevent or address dynapenic abdominal obesity may aid in the prevention of disability, especially among men.