Don't fall for weight: A systematic review of weight status and falls

Abstract

Aim:To examine the evidence for the contribution of weight status or nutritional status to the incidence of falls. Methods: A systematic review was completed to determine if weight status or nutritional status affects incidence of falls. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied to studies published from 2000 which reported weight status and/or nutritional status and falls incidence. Electronic databases searched were CINAHL, MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE, PUBMED and PsycINFO. Quality assessment and data extraction were performed on studies that met the inclusion criteria. Results: Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Six studies found no difference in weight between fallers and non-fallers. Two studies found an association between low weight or weight loss and falls. Eleven studies found no difference in body mass index between fallers and non-fallers. One study found body mass index to be lower in fallers. Five studies found fallers had a higher body mass index than non-fallers or that a higher body mass index was associated with falls. Three studies found malnutrition risk to be statistically significantly higher in fallers. Two descriptive studies identified 45% of a falls population as malnourished or at high risk of malnutrition. Conclusion: This review found limited evidence that being either overweight or underweight increases falls incidence. Referrals for nutritional management to decrease falls risk should not be based on weight status alone. Malnutrition screening should be used to identify appropriate patient referrals to dietitians in falls clinics.

The association of malnutrition with falls and harm from falls in hospital inpatients: Findings from a 5‐year observational study

“…The present study found that BMI was not an independent predictor of having a fall or harm following a fall. These findings are in accordance with a systematic review of weight and nutritional status and falls that found limited evidence that being overweight or underweight increased falls incidence despite a higher prevalence of malnutrition in falls populations (Moore & Boltong, 2011). This further suggests the causal association of nutritional status in falls risk and harm from falls is independent of BMI.…”

“…Instruments used to detect and predict falls risk in hospitalised adult patients vary considerably in their accuracy and effectiveness (Aranda-Gallardo et al, 2013). Some screening tools consider weight status as a potential risk factor for falls, yet there is limited evidence to support the role of weight status alone as an independent predictor of falling (Moore & Boltong, 2011). Malnutrition screening tools have been used to predict risk of falling in community dwelling older adults however use of this method has not been validated in a hospital setting (Tsai & Lai, 2014).…”

Effect of Rapid Body Weight Loss on Balance and Functional Mobility in Obese Individuals after Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Operation

“…Obesity is associated with structural and functional limitations that have been shown to affect balance and gait patterns (Cau et al, 2014), indicating that obesity may be an independent risk factor for falls (Himes & Reynolds, 2012;Wu et al, 2012). According to a systematic review of weight status and falls, BMI is not a valid predictor of fall risk (Moore & Boltong, 2011). However, there are studies showing a strong correlation between lack of balance and fall risk, especially in the elderly population.…”