Obesity as a predictor of falls among older women

Abstract

In older people’s falls often lead to hospitalisation and lengthy recovery in health care institutions and this may be conducive to financial strain on health care systems. The propensity or risk of falling rises as the individual gets older and frailer. Fear of falling, previous history of falling, poor mobility, limitations in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), side effects of medications, hazardous environment, poor vision and hearing, poor postural balance and gaits impairment are among the frequent factors that give rise to falls amongst older people. However, studies focused on obesity as a risk factor for falls are rarer.

The aim of this study was to find out whether obesity increases the risk of falls among older women. The association between indoor and outdoor falls and obesity among older women was examined. The data for this study were obtained from the Finnish Twin Study on Ageing (FITSA). A total of 434 women aged 63 to 76 years old took part in the studies. The women were twins but their data were analyzed as individuals. Information on falls was recorded for 12 months of follow-up using a fall calendar. The study design was prospective.

129 women had BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² at baseline and were categorised as obese. Altogether 199 participants reported 434 falls. Fifty-seven participants experienced 81 indoor falls and 132 participants experienced 213 outdoor falls. Obesity increased the incidence of falls among older women. Among the obese group, half of them had reported at least one fall and one quarter reported recurrent falls. The obese group had more indoor falls than the non-obese group (24% vs. 9%). Women with indoor falls were over three times more likely to be obese as compared to women who did not fall indoors. Outdoor falls did not correlate with obesity.

This study showed that obesity is a forecaster for falls among older women. Women with indoor falls were over three times more likely to be obese as compared to women who did not fall indoors. The results of this study enhance the etiology and relative importance of risk factors for falls, obesity, indoor and outdoor falls.