Walking balance impairment is one of the leading causes of fall risk in the elderly. Aging-induced musculoskeletal degeneration and body composition changes are hypothesized to influence balance and increase fall incidence. This study investigates the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI), age, and fall risk on walking balance among the elderly. This cross-sectional study involved 55 elderly participants in Sragen, Indonesia, recruited through total sampling based on the complete list of the elderly at Jatisari Village Health Post. Measurements included BMI (using digital scale and stadiometer), fall risk (Morse Fall Scale), and walking balance (8-Foot Up and Go Test). Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression to assess individual and simultaneous effects of independent variables. A significant negative relationship was found between BMI and walking balance (t = -2.124, p = 0.039), age and walking balance (t = -3.641, p = 0.001), and fall risk and walking balance (t = -2.140, p = 0.037). Simultaneously, BMI, age, and fall risk significantly affected walking balance (F = 9.770, p ²=0.353). Higher BMI, older age, and increased fall risk are significantly associated with poorer walking balance in the elderly. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions by healthcare providers, community health centers, and elderly organizations to enhance mobility and reduce fall risk in aging populations.
Rachmat et al. (Thu,) studied this question.