This increased muscular torque could be defined
as the cost for being obese. Could these observations be translated
in the real world into a higher risk of falling for the obsese
persons? Data presented for obese children [37] indirectly suggest
that this is the case. One could argue that obese persons have
higher ankle muscle strength (absolute) than the normal-weight
population since these muscles are solicited more frequently
(e.g., due to the increased body weight). The absolute maximum
strength of a person, however, should not be considered as the
most important determinant of postural stability. First, this initial
torque (induced by an anterior position of the body CM)
brings the obese persons closer to boundary conditions of postural
stability.