Affiliation:
1. Faculty of Physical Education, University of Brasilia, Brazil
2. Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Australia
3. Work Integrated Learning, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Australia
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Recent investigations suggest that obesity may be associated with an increased risk of falls; however, this theory has yet to be definitively confirmed. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the strength of the association between obesity and falls, multiple falls, fall-related injuries, and fall-related fractures among older adults.
Methods
MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, LILACS, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify observational studies that assessed the association between obesity and fall-related outcomes in participants aged 60 years and older. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and quality assessment. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using random effect meta-analyses.
Results
Thirty-one studies including a total of 1,758,694 participants were selected from 7,815 references. Pooled estimates showed that obese older adults have an increased risk of falls compared with nonobese counterparts (24 studies; relative risk: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.07–1.26; I2: 90%). Obesity was also associated with an increased risk of multiple falls (four studies; relative risk: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.08–1.29; I2: 0%). There was no evidence, however, of an association between obesity and fall-related injuries (seven studies; relative risk: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.92–1.18; I2: 65%). Fall-related fractures were reported in only one study, which demonstrated a lower risk of hip fracture with obesity (odds ratio: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.63–0.68).
Conclusions
Obesity increases the risk of falls and multiple falls in people aged 60 years and older; however, there is insufficient evidence of an association with fall-related injuries or fractures. Prevention and treatment of obesity may play a role in preventing falls in older age.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Geriatrics and Gerontology,Ageing
Cited by
64 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献