Prevalence of Balance Disturbances in Women with Android and Gynoid Obesity

Abstract

Objectives: In recent years increased incidence of obesity has been reported among general population due to vast changes in lifestyle of people attributing to industrialization and urbanization. However, the magnitude of the problem is more in women than in men. Hence, an attempt was made to review the impact of android and gynoid types of obesity on the balance in females Method: A cross- sectional, observational study was conducted on 100 premenopausal women aged 40-50 years. The participants were divided into android and gynoid obesity using waist hip ratio. Postural stability was assessed using functional reach test. Result: Balance disturbance was found in both android and gynoid type of obesities. Balance disturbance was found more in females with gynoid type of obesity. In android obesity 24 % of women have severe risk of falls and 76 % have moderate risk of falls. In gynoid obesity 33% have severe risk of fall and 67 % have moderate risk of fall according to functional reach test. Conclusion: On the basis of the results of the study, it was concluded that balance disturbance was found more within the females with gynoid as compared to the females with android type of obesity.