To assess the influence of the body mass index (BMI) on the occurrence of falls in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, receiving primary health care. We collected data from 134 patients (56.7±9.4 y.o.), none of them were seeking medical care due to sensory or balance decline. During the first evaluation, they reported falls, replied to a questionnaire of symptoms related to balance and had a sensory evaluation. After a 6 months follow-up, they reported falls again and, according to the occurrence of falls during the preceding year, patients were classified in 2 groups: no falls (N=92) and falls (N=42). The occurrence of falls was related to BMI, gender and age. Compared to patients with no falls, patients with falls had a greater BMI and comprised a higher proportion of patients with a BMI ≥35; patients with a BMI ≥35 were younger than patients with a BMI