Introduction

Obesity makes the elderly prone to the risk of falling. The aim of this study was to contrast the differences between the risk factors for falls and the Body Mass Index in elderly hospitalized patients.

Materials and Methods

A descriptive-comparative study was conducted at a Medical Specialties Hospital in Veracruz, Mexico. Convenience sampling was not probabilistic with a sample composed of 122 elderly hospitalized patients in the hospital emergency, gynecology and internal medicine departments. Risk factors for falls were measured using the Morse Fall Scale, in addition to the sociodemographic, anthropometric and health data. Descriptive inferential statistics such as Kruskal-Wallis test, Chi-squared test and Cramér’s V were used.

Results

Age average was 70.94±7.50 and Body Mass Index was 28.66±3.80; Predominant risk factors were a history of previous falls, having intravenous catheters and lack of physical activity. A statistically significant difference was found between gait and the Body Mass Index (p<0.05 and Cramér’s V=0.204).

Discussion

Body Mass Index is a very important factor because it can be associated with gait problems.

Conclusions

Gait is a risk factor for falls that has significant differences with the Body Mass Index. This is because elderly who are overweight had an abnormal gait that could make difficult to maintain balance so that a possible fall could happen.

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