Exploring The Relationship Between Bmi, Age, And Hba1c In Active Older African American Women

BACKGROUND: Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is an assessment of glucose stability over time with a value less than 5.7 m/mol% considered normal and a value greater than 6.5 m/mol% considered diabetic. Effective diabetes management requires a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors affecting older African American (AA) women. PURPOSE: The study’s purpose was to examine the relationship between HbA1c, age, and BMI in older AA women. METHODS: Participants were (N = 73) older AA women who participated in health risk assessments at senior recreational centers in Charlotte, NC. The women were members of active physical activity programs at these centers with weekly involvement. They were measured for blood glucose, HbA1c, and BMI. A blood sample was collected in a small blood collector after a lancet pricked the participant’s finger. It was then lightly shaken with a premixed solution and placed into the A1CNow + Professional Multi-Test HbA1c System. The Omron HBF-306C Handheld Body Fat Loss Monitor was used to calculate BMI. Participants held the monitor with both hands after the appropriate demographics were input into the machine. RESULTS: The participants ranged from 60 to 91 years with a mean age of 74.9 ± 8.2 years and were obese with a BMI of 30.2 ± 5.8 (kg/m2). HbA1c values averaged 5.8 ± .84. There was no significant relationship between age and weight (r = -.16) or between age and HbA1c (r = -.07). A significant positive relationship (r = .21) was observed for HbA1c and BMI. CONCLUSION: In active older obese AA women, no relationships were observed between age and HbA1c. However, there was a positive correlation between HbA1c and BMI suggesting that adiposity contributes to predicting diabetes in older obese active AA women. Supported by: The Sharon at Southpark