@article {7681, title = {Effect of obesity on falls, injury, and disability.}, journal = {J Am Geriatr Soc}, volume = {60}, year = {2012}, note = {Himes, Christine L Reynolds, Sandra L United States Journal of the American Geriatrics Society J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012 Jan;60(1):124-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03767.x. Epub 2011 Dec 8.}, month = {2012 Jan}, pages = {124-9}, publisher = {60}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of obesity on the propensity of older adults to fall, sustain a fall-related injury, and develop disability in activities of daily living (ADLs) after a fall.

DESIGN: Longitudinal population-based survey.

SETTING: Five waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), 1998-2006.

PARTICIPANTS: Ten thousand seven hundred fifty-five respondents aged 65 and older in 31,602 person-intervals.

MEASUREMENTS: Falls within any 2-year interval (9,621 falls). Injuries requiring medical attention (3,130 injuries). Increased ADL disability after a fall within any 2-year interval (2,162 events). Underweight and three classes of obesity (body mass index (BMI) 30.0-34.9~kg/m(2) , Class 1) 35.0-39.9~kg/m(2) , Class 2; >=40.0~kg/m(2) , Class 3), calculated from self-reported height and weight. Self-reported presence of lower body limitation, pain, dizziness, or vision problems. Self-reported doctor{\textquoteright}s diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, stroke, or arthritis.

RESULTS: Compared with normal-weight respondents, the odds ratios (OR) for risk of falling were 1.12 (95\% confidence interval (CI)~=~1.01-1.24) for obesity Class 1, 1.26 (95\% CI~=~1.05-1.51) for obesity Class 2, and 1.50 (95\% CI~=~1.21-1.86) for obesity Class 3. Conditional on falling, only obesity Class 3 was related to a lower propensity for a fall-related injury (OR~=~0.62, 95\% CI~=~0.44-0.87). Obesity Classes 1 and 2 were associated with a higher risk of greater ADL disability after a fall than normal-weight respondents (OR~=~1.17, 95\% CI~=~1.02-1.34; OR~=~1.39, 95\% CI~=~1.10-1.75, respectively). Being underweight was not related to risk of falling or to reported injury or greater ADL limitation after a fall. The presence of measured health problems and chronic conditions was associated with greater risk of falling and, of those who fell, greater ADL limitation but not serious injury.

CONCLUSION: Obesity appears to be associated with greater risk of falling in older adults, as well as a higher risk of greater ADL disability after a fall. Obesity (BMI~>=~40~kg/m(2) ) may reduce the risk of injury from a fall. Further investigation of the mechanisms of obesity on falls and related health outcomes is warranted.

}, keywords = {Accidental Falls, Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Body Mass Index, Disability Evaluation, Disabled Persons, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Incidence, Male, Obesity, Odds Ratio, Prevalence, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors, United States, Wounds and Injuries}, issn = {1532-5415}, doi = {10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03767.x}, author = {Christine L Himes and Sandra L Reynolds} }