Does lower lean body mass mediate the relationship between falls and higher body mass index in Asian older persons?
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2020
Abstract
The current evidence on the relationship between a higher body mass index (BMI) and falls in older adults is conflicting. This study, therefore, evaluated the relationship between BMI and falls and explored underlying mechanisms for this relationship. Data from 1,340 individuals from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study, obtained through home-based computer-assisted interviews and followed by hospital-based health checks, were utilized. A history of the presence of falls in the previous 12 months was obtained. The presence of at least one fall in the past 12 months was associated with a higher BMI (odds ratio = 1.03, 95% confidence interval 1.01, 1.06]). The relationship between a higher BMI and falls was, however, attenuated by a lower percentage of lean body mass, which accounted for 69% of the total effect of BMI on the risk of falls. Future studies should now investigate this aforementioned relationship prospectively.
Keywords
Accidental falls, Aged, Muscle mass, Obesity, Sarcopenia
Divisions
biomedengine,medicinedept,Socialprevent
Funders
Universiti Malaya [Grant no. GC002A-HTM]
Publication Title
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
Volume
28
Issue
3
Publisher
Human Kinetics Publishers Inc.
Publisher Location
1607 N MARKET ST, PO BOX 5076, CHAMPAIGN, IL 61820-2200 USA