Association Between Dynapenic Abdominal Obesity and Fall Risk in Older Adults

In recent years, dynapenic abdominal obesity has received more and more attention. This article aimed to explore the relationship between dynapenic abdominal obesity and fall risk in older adults.

In this cross-sectional study, according to waist circumference (≥90 cm for men and ≥85 cm for women) and handgrip strength (<28 kg for men and <18 kg for women), 551 older adults were divided into four groups: dynapenic abdominal obese (D/AO), dynapenic nonabdominal obese (D/NAO), nondynapenic abdominal obese (ND/AO) and nondynapenic nonabdominal obese (ND/NAO). Fall risk was measured by the Tinetti performance-oriented mobility assessment (POMA). Binary logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between D/AO and fall risk.

D/AO was related to POMA score (odds ratio [OR]=3.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.47-7.81; P=0.004) after adjusting the confounding variables. However, D/NAO (OR=1.51; 95% CI:0.69-3.32; P=0.302) and ND/AO (OR=1.48; 95% CI:0.74-2.99; P=0.272) were not associated with POMA score.

This study suggests that older adults with D/AO have a higher risk of falls. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the attention to D/AO and relevant interventions should be implemented.