Lose Weight to Improve Balance
WLR Dietitian, Juliette Kellow reports on research which
shows that losing weight can help to reduce the risk of falling
by improving balance in men who are obese.
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Getting the Balance Right
By WLR Dietitian
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A new piece of research in the International Journal of
Obesity has shown that losing weight can actually help to reduce
the risk of falling by improving balance in men who are obese.
The study included 14 obese men (with an average BMI of 33),
who followed a low-calorie diet to help them lose weight, and 14
morbidly obese men (with an average BMI of 50.5) who underwent
surgery. Various measures of balance were taken throughout the
study.
The obese men lost an average of 12.3kg after dieting, while
the morbidly obese men lost 71.3kg after surgery.
After losing weight, nearly all measures of balance were
improved – with greater weight losses leading to greater
balance. The scientists conclude that encouraging obese people
to lose weight should help to reduce the greater of risk of
falling that’s commonly seen in people who are obese.
WLR says:
It’s well known that being obese increases our risk of a host
of health problems, ranging from heart disease and certain
cancers to joint problems and diabetes. But it’s rare for most
of us to think about the effects obesity has on our balance –
and therefore our chances of falling over and injuring
ourselves.
This study provides yet another reason to shift those excess
pounds. |
