title: Osteosarcopenic obesity and fall prevention strategies.
abstract: Sarcopenia, obesity, and osteoporosis are three interrelated entities which may share common pathophysiological factors. In the last decades, overall survival has drastically increased. Postmenopausal women, due to their estrogen depletion, are at higher risk of developing any of these three conditions or the three, which is termed osteosarcopenic obesity. One of the most common health problems among these patients is the elevated risk of falls and fractures. Falls and fall-related injuries are one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in older adults, and have a significant impact on social, economical and health-related costs. Several extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors have been described that play a role in the etiology of falls. A therapeutic approach to osteosarcopenic obesity aimed at the prevention of falls must include several factors, and act on those risk elements which can be effectively modified. An adequate weight-loss diet and a good nutritional intake, with an appropriate amount of vitamin D and the right protein/carbohydrates ratio, may contribute to the prevention of falls. The recommendation of physical exercise, both traditional (resistance or aerobic training) and more recent varieties (Tai Chi, Pilates, body vibration), can improve balance and positively contribute to fall prevention, whether by itself or in combination with other therapeutic strategies. Finally, a pharmacological approach, especially one focused on hormone therapy, has shown to have a positive effect on postmenopausal women's balance, leading to a decreased risk of falls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, E-23071 Jaén, Spain. Electronic address: fhita@ujaen.es.
authors.forename: Fidel
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hita-Contreras
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, E-23071 Jaén, Spain. Electronic address: amamat@ujaen.es.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez-Amat
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, E-23071 Jaén, Spain. Electronic address: dcruz@ujaen.es.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cruz-Díaz
authors.affiliation: University of Zaragoza, Faculty of Medicine and Lozano Blesa University Hospital, E-50009 Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address: faustino.perez@unizar.es.
authors.forename: Faustino R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Pérez-López
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000517:prevention & control*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: Fall prevention; Obesity; Osteoporosis; Osteosarcopenic obesity; Postural balance; Sarcopenia