57 OBESITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH RECURRENT FALLS AFTER A 2 YEAR FOLLOW UP.

Introduction: Falls are common among older adults and are associated with injury, hospitalisation and mortality (Rubenstein Age & Aging 2006 35-S2,ii37). Obesity is associated with many recognised risk factors for falls in the elderly and recent research indicates that obesity may itself be an independent risk factor for falls (Himes & Reynolds J AM Geriatr Soc 2012 60,124). The aim of this analysis was to investigate obesity as a risk factor for incident falls in community dwelling older adults after a 2 year follow up.Methods: 4701 community dwelling adults aged 50+ from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging (TILDA) had their baseline height and weight measured during a comprehensive health assessment. Obesity was defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30 kg.m2. After a 2 year follow up participants were asked if they had experienced any falls since the previous interview, and if so how many falls were sustained. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between baseline obesity and incident falls. Covariates studied include baseline demographics, history of chronic and cardiovascular disease, physical disability, previous falls, gait speed, self-rated vision, chronic pain, cognitive function, mental health and medication use.Results: Mean (SD) age of participants at baseline was 61.0 years (8.8) and 55.6% were female. 32.9% of the sample was classified as obese at baseline. 12.5% of obese participants reported one fall during follow up compared to 13.9% of non-obese participants. A further 11.2% of obese participants reported 2 or more falls compared to 7% of non-obese participants. Adjusting for several covariates, baseline obesity was independently associated with reporting 2 or more falls after a 2-year follow up (Odds Ratio = 1.31, p = 0.023).Conclusion: Obesity is associated with recurrent falls in community dwelling older adults over a two year follow up period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]