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Associations between obesity, physical fitness, and urinary incontinence in non-institutionalized postmenopausal women: The elderly EXERNET multi-center study

Abstract:

Objectives To investigate the associations between body composition, fitness level, and urinary incontinence (UI) in 471 non-institutionalized women ≥ 65 years of age. Study design Cross-sectional study. Method UI was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-Form and a specific severity UI item. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using standardized techniques and equipment. Body fat percentage (BF%) was measured by bioelectrical impedance. Physical fitness (PF) was evaluated by a set of 8 tests and a fitness index (FI) was calculated. Active and sedentary behaviors were recorded by standardized questionnaires. Results UI was reported in 28.5% of the participants. Women with UI showed higher values of body mass index (BMI), BF% and waist circumference (WC) (all p < 0.05) compared to urinary continent women, whereas there was a lower fitness index (FI) level in women with UI (p = 0.08). Among all fitness capacities, upper body flexibility showed the closest relationship with UI. UI risk increased by 87.0% [95% confidence intervals (1.01-3.17)] in obese women compared to the normal group, according to the BF% while no significant results were found when PF, WC and BMI were included in the model. Mean sitting and walking time per day were 4.3 ± 1.4 and 1.8 ± 0.9 h/d, respectively. Conclusion UI was associated with an excess of fat mass and poor PF, especially upper-body flexibility.