The influence of obesity on falls and quality of life

• Published in: Dynamic medicine DM Vol. 7; no. 4; p. 4
• Main Authors: Fjeldstad, Cecilie, Fjeldstad, Anette S, Acree, Luke S, Nickel, Kevin J, Gardner, Andrew W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 27.02.2008; BioMed Central
• Subjects: Analysis; Health aspects; Influence; Obesity; Quality of life; United States
• ISSN: 1476-5918; 1476-5918
• DOI: 10.1186/1476-5918-7-4

To determine (1) whether obese older adults had higher prevalence of falls and ambulatory stumbling, impaired balance and lower health-related quality of life (HRQL) than their normal weight counterparts, and (2) whether the falls and balance measures were associated with HRQL in obese adults. Subjects who had a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2 were classified into an obese group (n = 128) while those with BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2 were included into a normal weight group (n = 88). Functional tests were performed to assess balance, and questionnaires were administered to assess history of falls, ambulatory stumbling, and HRQL. The obese group reported a higher prevalence of falls (27% vs. 15%), and ambulatory stumbling (32% vs. 14%) than the normal weight group. Furthermore, the obese group had lower HRQL, (p < or = 0.05) for physical function (63 +/- 27 vs. 75 +/- 26; mean +/- SD), role-physical (59 +/- 40 vs. 74 +/- 37), vitality (58 +/- 23 vs. 66 +/- 20), bodily pain (62 +/- 25 vs. 74 +/- 21) and general health (64 +/- 19 vs. 70 +/- 18). In the obese group, a history of falls was related (p < or = 0.05) to lower scores in 4 domains of HRQL, and ambulatory stumbling was related (p < or = 0.01) to 7 domains. In middle-aged and older adults, obesity was associated with a higher prevalence of falls and stumbling during ambulation, as well as lower values in multiple domains of HRQL. Furthermore, a history of falls and ambulatory stumbling were related to lower measures of HRQL in obese adults.