Excessive body weight can introduce or
exacerbate chronic health conditions
such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease,
hypertension and arthritis,3,6 and can also
contribute to a reduction in the ability
to easily perform activities of daily living,
such as walking up stairs.6 As many of
these conditions are associated with
reduced peripheral sensation, weakness
and instability, it could be expected that
excessive body weight would be associated
with falls in older people