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Anthropometric assessment of 10-y changes in body composition in the elderly.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hughes, VA; Roubenoff, R; Wood, M; Frontera, WR; Evans, WJ; Fiatarone Singh, MA
Published in: Am J Clin Nutr
August 2004

BACKGROUND: An increased central distribution of fat with advancing age is associated with chronic metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities. Little is known about the magnitude or pattern of fat distribution and its association with healthy aging. OBJECTIVE: This study describes approximately 10-y changes in body composition at 11 anthropometric sites in elderly persons and the metabolic and physical activity factors associated with these changes. DESIGN: Skinfold thicknesses, girths, body fat by hydrodensitometry, physical activity by questionnaire, and metabolic variables were examined twice, 9.4 +/- 1.4 y apart, in 54 men and 75 women aged 60.4 +/- 7.8 y at baseline. RESULTS: Subcutaneous fat declined (-17.2%; P < 0.001), whereas total fat mass increased (7.2%; P < 0.05). Waist and hip circumference changes were the best anthropometric predictors of total fat mass change (r(2) = 0.40-0.65, P < 0.0001). Thigh girth change was more strongly associated with fat-free mass change (r(2) = 0.22, P < 0.01) than with fat mass change (r(2) = 0.07, P < 0.05) in women. An increase in physical activity was associated with an attenuation of thigh girth decline in men and women (F ratio = 5.13, P < 0.007). Traditional metabolic markers of visceral adiposity (triacylglycerol, glucose, and total cholesterol) were not significantly related to the change in waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Skinfold thicknesses cannot be used to assess changes in body fat mass because of age-related fat redistribution. Higher levels of physical activity can attenuate the decline in appendicular lean tissue expected over 10 y. Waist and thigh girths, rather than skinfold thicknesses, should be considered for use in longitudinal studies in the elderly because the changes in these girths capture increased abdominal adiposity and sarcopenia, respectively.

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Published In

Am J Clin Nutr

DOI

ISSN

0002-9165

Publication Date

August 2004

Volume

80

Issue

2

Start / End Page

475 / 482

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Regression Analysis
  • Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Female
  • Exercise
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Hughes, V. A., Roubenoff, R., Wood, M., Frontera, W. R., Evans, W. J., & Fiatarone Singh, M. A. (2004). Anthropometric assessment of 10-y changes in body composition in the elderly. Am J Clin Nutr, 80(2), 475–482. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/80.2.475
Hughes, Virginia A., Ronenn Roubenoff, Michael Wood, Walter R. Frontera, William J. Evans, and Maria A. Fiatarone Singh. “Anthropometric assessment of 10-y changes in body composition in the elderly.Am J Clin Nutr 80, no. 2 (August 2004): 475–82. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/80.2.475.
Hughes VA, Roubenoff R, Wood M, Frontera WR, Evans WJ, Fiatarone Singh MA. Anthropometric assessment of 10-y changes in body composition in the elderly. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Aug;80(2):475–82.
Hughes, Virginia A., et al. “Anthropometric assessment of 10-y changes in body composition in the elderly.Am J Clin Nutr, vol. 80, no. 2, Aug. 2004, pp. 475–82. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/ajcn/80.2.475.
Hughes VA, Roubenoff R, Wood M, Frontera WR, Evans WJ, Fiatarone Singh MA. Anthropometric assessment of 10-y changes in body composition in the elderly. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Aug;80(2):475–482.

Published In

Am J Clin Nutr

DOI

ISSN

0002-9165

Publication Date

August 2004

Volume

80

Issue

2

Start / End Page

475 / 482

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Regression Analysis
  • Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Female
  • Exercise