A 51-year retrospective study of the trends of height, weight and body mass index at the time of death in those aged 16-103.

The study investigates the trends in survival age, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) in both genders for those aged 16-103 at the time of death. It also investigates the trend in the proportion of the population classified as obese using data extracted from 37,206 autopsy reports spanning the period 1947-1997. The data was analysed using the computerised statistical software SPSS with tables and figures produced of mean values per investigation value per sex per 10-year age group per decade. The data confirmed reported trends that the population is getting older, taller and heavier with the mean BMI increasing such that the proportion of individuals who can be classified as obese is increasing. These trends will potentially have an impact on healthcare as more people will have an increased risk of associated morbidity and mortality, as well as an implication on welfare and housing for the increasingly elderly population.