ArticleAging clinical and experimental research2026
Disproportionate increase of extreme obesity among older adults: an exploratory analysis from the English longitudinal study of ageing.
Article in Aging clinical and experimental research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Surgically reshaping the gut microbiome.Nature metabolism · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe global rise in obesity increasingly includes extreme forms, notably BMI ≥ 50 kg/m², which present disproportionate health risks, especially among older adults. Despite this, most epidemiological research aggregates all obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), potentially underestimating the burden of extreme obesity. Understanding trends in this subgroup is critical for targeted public health and clinical responses.
methodsWe analyzed data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) across four waves (2004-2005 to 2016-2017). Data were analysed on the entire population and also for those aged ≥ 65 years. BMI was calculated from measured or self-reported height and weight and classified using WHO standards. Poisson regression with robust error variance was used to assess trends across BMI categories, adjusting for age and sex.
resultsExtreme obesity (BMI 50-59.9 kg/m²) increased by 50% over the 12-year period, and for the first time, individuals with BMI ≥ 60 kg/m² were observed in 2016-2017. Among older adults, mild obesity (BMI 30-39.9 kg/m²) declined slightly, while class II obesity (BMI 40-49.9 kg/m²) rose significantly. However, no individuals aged ≥ 65 years were recorded in the ≥ 60 kg/m² category. Though absolute numbers remain small, the upward trend is clear and clinically significant.
conclusionsExtreme obesity is rising disproportionately, including among older adults, and requires urgent recognition as a distinct public health challenge. Healthcare systems must adapt to the complex needs of this population, including appropriate medical infrastructure, specialized care pathways, and enhanced clinical guidelines. Ongoing surveillance and tailored interventions are essential to address this growing burden.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.