Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases · Feb 9, 2026

Seven-year changes in BMI and grip strength in older adults: Incidence of the obese-weak phenotype and the protective role of physical activity

By do Espírito Santo RC, Araujo RHO, Melo G et al.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study examined changes in body mass index (BMI) and grip strength, estimated the incidence of the obese-weak phenotype, and evaluated the protective role of physical activity (PA) in older adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were from Waves 5-8 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), including 17,434 adults aged ≥50 years from 14 countries. BMI was self-reported, and grip strength was measured by dynamometry. Participants were classified as normal weight-normal strength, normal weight-weak strength, or obese-normal strength at Wave 5. Moderate and vigorous PA were categorised as ≥1 or <1 time/week. Mean age was 64.7 ± 8.3 years, and 54.6% were female. At baseline, 36.0% were normal weight-normal strength, 1.0% normal weight-weak strength, and 63.0% obese-normal strength. While BMI decreased modestly over follow-up, grip strength declined more markedly. The incidence of the obese-weak phenotype was 1.0% in normal weight-normal strength, 8.1% in normal weight-weak strength, and 3.6% in obese-normal strength. Baseline normal weight-weak strength and obese-normal strength showed 2.5-8-fold higher odds of incident obese-weak status. MPA <1 time/week increased oods, while ≥1 time/week VPA attenuated odds in normal weight-weak individuals, although interaction tests were not significant. CONCLUSION: While BMI decreased modestly over follow-up, grip strength declined more markedly. Lower physical activity was associated with higher odds of developing the obese-weak phenotype, reinforcing physical activity as an important target for preventing unhealthy ageing changes.

doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2026.104613PubMed 41794605Populations