Association between weight and body composition changes with falls risk in the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study

Hashim NNA 1 , Mat S 2 , Myint PK 3 , Kioh SH 4 , Delibegovic M 5 , Chin AV 1 Show all authors , Kamaruzzaman SB 1 , Hairi NN 6 , Khoo SPK 7 , Tan MP 8

Affiliations 

  • 1 Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia
  • 2 Physiotherapy Program and Center for Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Fakulti Sains Kesihatan, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
  • 3 Ageing Clinical and Experimental Research Team, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
  • 4 Department of Chiropractic, Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CCAM), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
  • 5 Aberdeen Cardiovascular and Diabetes Centre, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
  • 6 Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Universiti Malaya Faculty of Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
  • 7 Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
  • 8 Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia mptan@ummc.edu.my
BMJ Open, 2024 Nov 07;14(11):e087358.
PMID: 39510770 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-087358

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Both changes in body composition and increased fall risk occur with increasing age. While weight management may be considered a component of falls prevention, the long-term consequences of changes in weight, however, remain uncertain. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the relationship between weight and body composition changes over 5 years with fall occurrence.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

SETTING: Community-dwelling older adults interviewed at baseline (2013-2016) and follow-up (2020-2022) as a part of the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study were included.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants who attended face-to-face follow-up visits.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Fall occurrence over 12 months preceding the follow-up visit was determined. Anthropometric, bioimpedance analysis and physical performance measurements were obtained at both time points. Participants were categorised into three groups according to changes in weight and body composition using≥5% increase or decrease in weight to determine loss or gain.

RESULTS: Of the 225 participants, aged 71.8±6.8 years, 128 (56.9%) were women. Weight gain was associated with increased fall risk at follow-up compared with stable weight (adjusted rate ratio, aRR (95% confidence interval, CI)=2.86 (1.02-8.02)) following adjustments for age and body mass index (BMI), but this relationship was attenuated by low baseline percentage lean body mass (%LBM) in women. The association was strenghtened after adjusting for age, BMI, and low muscle strength (aRR (95% CI)=2.89 (1.01-8.28)). Weight change did not influence falls risk in men. No difference was observed with changes in percentage body fat and %LBM over time with fall occurrence for both genders.

CONCLUSION: Lower baseline lean body mass influenced the relationship between weight gain and falls longitudinally. Interventions addressing low lean body mass should be considered in the prevention of weight-gain-related falls in older women.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

MeSH terms
Similar publications