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Original Article
- Associations of Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference With Falls Among Community-dwelling Older Adults in Korea
- Seonho Kim, Jeong-Soo Im, Beomman Ha
- J Prev Med Public Health. 2026;59(3):328-336. Published online March 31, 2026
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.26.092
- 1,827 View
- 157 Download
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Abstract
Summary
PDF - Objectives
This study aimed to investigate the association between obesity and falls among community-dwelling older adults in Korea and to assess whether body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC) more accurately predicts fall risk.
Methods
This study included 4378 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2018). Complex-sample logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between general and central obesity and falls, stratified by sex and age group. Predictive accuracy was evaluated using Harrell’s C-index, and differences between WC and BMI were assessed using the ΔC-index and the DeLong test.
Results
BMI-defined general obesity was not significantly associated with falls. In contrast, WC-defined central obesity was significantly associated with falls among older adults overall (adjusted odds ratio, 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.20 to 2.76). In sex-stratified analyses, central obesity remained significantly associated with falls in both males and females. Age-stratified analyses showed a significant association between central obesity and falls among adults aged 65–74 years, but not among those aged ≥75 years. WC demonstrated a modest but statistically significant improvement in predictive ability compared with BMI (ΔC-index=0.047, p=0.044), although subgroup differences were not statistically significant.
Conclusions
Central obesity, but not general obesity defined by BMI, was significantly associated with falls among community-dwelling older Korean adults. WC showed slightly better predictive performance than BMI. These findings suggest that WC may be a more appropriate indicator than BMI for identifying older adults at increased risk of falls. -
SummaryKorean summary
본 연구는 지역사회 거주 노인을 대상으로 비만과 낙상 간의 관련성을 분석하고, 체질량지수(BMI)와 허리둘레(WC)의 낙상 예측력을 비교하였다. 분석 결과, BMI 기반 일반 비만은 낙상과 유의한 관련이 없었으나, WC 기반 복부비만은 낙상 위험 증가와 유의하게 관련되었으며, 허리둘레가 BMI보다 낙상 예측에 더 우수한 지표로 나타났다. 따라서 노인 낙상 위험 선별 시 BMI보다 허리둘레를 우선적으로 고려할 필요가 있다.Key Message
Central obesity defined by waist circumference was significantly associated with falls among community-dwelling older adults in Korea, whereas BMI-defined general obesity was not. Waist circumference also demonstrated slightly better predictive performance for falls than BMI. These findings suggest that waist circumference may be a more appropriate anthropometric indicator for identifying older adults at increased risk of falls.
Special Article
- National Cancer Control Plan of the Korea: Current Status and the Fourth Plan (2021-2025)
- Kyu-Tae Han, Jae Kwan Jun, Jeong-Soo Im
- J Prev Med Public Health. 2023;56(3):205-211. Published online May 31, 2023
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.23.115
- 10,416 View
- 203 Download
- 16 Web of Science
- 19 Crossref
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Abstract
Summary
PDF
- Cancer management has become a major policy goal for the government of the Korea. As such, the government introduced the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) to reduce the individual and social burdens caused by cancer and to promote national health. During the past 25 years, 3 phases of the NCCP have been completed. During this time, the NCCP has changed significantly in all aspects of cancer control from prevention to survival. The targets for cancer control are increasing, and although some blind spots remain, new demands are emerging. The government initiated the fourth NCCP in March 2021, with the vision of “A Healthy Country with No Concerns about Cancer Anywhere at Any Time,” which aims to build and disseminate high-quality cancer data, reduce preventable cancer cases, and reduce gaps in cancer control. Its main strategies include (1) activation of cancer big data, (2) advancement of cancer prevention and screening, (3) improvement in cancer treatment and response, and (4) establishment of a foundation for balanced cancer control. The fourth NCCP has many positive expectations, similar to the last 3 plans; however, cross-domain support and participation are required to achieve positive results in cancer control. Notably, cancer remains the leading cause of death despite decades of management efforts and should continue to be managed carefully from a national perspective.
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SummaryKorean summary
- 기존 1~3차 국가암관리계획의 전반적인 성과를 소개합니다. - 제4차 국가암관리계획의 목표 및 내용을 기존 계획과 비교하여 설명합니다. -
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
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