Body Mass Index Knowledge of Older Adults and Motivation to Change This article is authored by Wills, Fehin, and Callen and published in the British Journal of Community Nursing, 16:3. It was selected as an example of a quasi-experimental design. This is a summary of a quasi-experimental design in which multiple measures were used. This study found that older people did not know their own body mass or the fact they were at risk for multiple health consequences.

"Worldwide, 1.6 billion adults are overweight and 400 million are obese" (Wills).

Statement of Purpose

"The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge of older adults in Ireland and the U.S.A. about their body mass index (BMI) category and motivation to change" (Wills).

Study Methods

This was a quantitative descriptive research design with detailed and informed consent with a sample of older community dwellers. The data...

Data analysis was conducted with SPSS where descriptive statistics for demographic data and t-tests comparing means of the two country groups were conducted.
Key Findings

Obesity is an emerging epidemic and health issue exacerbating chronic disease and frailty in the older generation. The prevalence is increasing and older adults are not aware of their BMI or the fact they fall within a multiple health consequence category. Only 3% of Irish adults knew what BMI was compared to where 7% of American adults knew.

Wills, T.F. (n.d.). Body mass index knowledge of older adults and motivation to change. British Journal of Community Nursing, 16:3, 110-115.

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