Dynapenic Abdominal Obesity as a Risk Factor for Falls in Older Women

Background: The combination of dynapenia and central obesity has been introduced as dynapenic abdominal obesity (D/AO), but its relationship with falls-related phenotypes is unclear. Objectives: To investigate the association between D/AO, risk of falls, dynamic balance, and fear of falling in older women. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 217 women (68.03 +/- 6.21 years) underwent waist circumference and handgrip measurements. Risk of falls (QuickScreen), the Timed Up and Go test, and fear of falling were also evaluated. Dynapenia was classified using the lower tertile of handgrip strength as cutoff value (20.67 kgf), while obesity was considered a waist circumference of greater than 88 cm; D/AO was the combination of both criteria. Results: Dynapenic abdominal obesity was associated with increased probability of falls (chi(2) = 32.392; P < .001), reflecting decreased sit-to-stand performance (P = .001), reaction time (P < .001), peripheral sensation (P = .05), and postural balance (P = .05). Time to complete the Timed Up and Go test was significantly higher in D/AO group (P < .001). Finally, D/AO (30.08 +/- 7.81) and abdominal obesity (27.77 +/- 7.40) women presented increased fear of falling than normal (23.22 +/- 5.50) and dynapenic (26.61 +/- 8.33) groups (P < .05). Conclusion: Dynapenic abdominal obesity is associated with increased risk and fear of falls and reduced dynamic balance in older women. These relationships are stronger than those observed for obesity or dynapenia alone.