Original Article
International Journal of Obesity (2007) 31, 153–160. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803360; published online 9 May 2006
Reducing weight increases postural stability in obese and morbid obese men
N Teasdale1, O Hue1, J Marcotte1, F Berrigan1, M Simoneau1, J Doré1, P Marceau2,3, S Marceau2,3 and A Tremblay1
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Laval University, Québec, Canada
- 2Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Laval University, Québec, Canada
- 3Department of General Surgery, Laval Hospital, Québec, Canada
Correspondence: Professor N Teasdale, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Division of kinesiology, PEPS, Laval Université, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada, G1K 7P4. E-mail: Normand.Teasdale@kin.msp.ulaval.ca
Received 12 December 2005; Revised 14 March 2006; Accepted 15 March 2006; Published online 9 May 2006.
Abstract
Objective:
To investigate the effect of weight loss on balance control in obese and morbid obese men.
Methods:
In a longitudinal and clinical intervention study, postural stability was measured with a force platform before and after weight loss in men. Weight loss was obtained in obese men (mean body mass index (BMI)=33.0 kg/m2) by hypocaloric diet until resistance and in morbid obese men (mean BMI=50.5 kg/m2) by bariatric surgery. Morbid obese men were tested before surgery, and 3 and 12 months after surgery when they had lost 20 and nearly 50% of initial body weight, respectively. Normal weight individuals (mean BMI=22.7 kg/m2) were tested twice within a 6- to 12-month period to serve as control. Body fatness and fat distribution measures, and posturographic parameters of the center of foot pressure (CP) along the antero-posterior and medio-lateral axes for conditions with and without vision were performed in all subjects.
Results:
Weight loss averaged 12.3 kg after dieting and 71.3 kg after surgery. Body weight remained unchanged in the control group. After weight loss, nearly all measures of postural stability were improved with and without vision (i.e., CP speed and range in antero-posterior and medio-lateral axes). A strong linear relationship was observed between weight loss and improvement in balance control measured from CP speed (adjusted R 2=0.65, P<0.001).
Conclusion:
Weight loss improves balance control in obese men and the extent of the improvement is directly related to the amount of weight loss. This should decrease the habitual greater risk of falling observed in obese individuals.
Keywords:
weight loss, posture, balance control, postural stability
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