Relationship Between Obesity and Balance in the Community-Dwelling Elderly Population: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Although there are similar characteristics between obese individuals and fall-susceptible population, little is known about relationships between body weight and risk factors for fall, particularly in the elderly population. The aim of this study was to determine whether body mass index-based obesity is associated with decreased balance and whether instability has relationships with the main risk factors for falls. METHODS: A total of 317 participants were categorized based on their body mass index. Clinical balance assessments were performed using the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test, and Short Physical Performance Battery. The knee extensor strength of each individual was measured using a dynamometer. Total sway distance was calculated on InBody posturography in four conditions. RESULTS: The results of three clinical balance assessment tools showed significant correlation with body mass index. The obese group showed decreased isokinetic knee extensor muscle strength and had a higher total sway distance than the normal weight group. CONCLUSIONS: The elderly population with obesity exhibits poor balance performing ability, and it is associated with the decreased strength of the lower limbs and impaired postural stability. The logistic regression analysis of our study showed that body mass index-based obesity can be regarded as a fall risk.

Correlations Between Values of Articulation Tests and Language Tests for Children With Articulation Disorder in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate correlations between values of articulation tests and language tests for children with articulation disorder in Korea. METHODS: Data of outpatients with chief complaint of an articulation problem were retrospectively collected. Patients who underwent Urimal Test of Articulation and Phonation (U-TAP) with Assessment of Phonology and Articulation for Children (APAC), Preschool Receptive-Expressive Language Scale (PRES), or Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test (REVT) simultaneously were identified. Patients whose word-level percentages of correct consonants in U-TAP (UTAP_wC) were more than 2 standard deviations below the mean as diagnostic criteria for articulation disorder were selected. Those whose receptive language age (P_RLA), expressive language age (P_ELA), or combined language age (P_CLA) in PRES was delayed more than 24 months compared to their chronological age in months as diagnostic criteria for language disorder were excluded. RESULTS: Thirty-three children aged 3-6 years were enrolled retrospectively. PRES and U-TAP showed significant correlations for most of value relationships. PRES and APAC showed significant correlations for all value relationships except for receptive language age. All values of REVT were significantly correlated with all values from U-TAP, but not with any value from APAC. Articulation tests U-TAP and APAC showed significant correlations between percentages of correct consonants. Language tests PRES and REVT showed significant correlations for all value relationships. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that articulation abilities and language abilities might be correlated in children with articulation disorder.