Interpopulation Similarity of Sex and Age-Related Body Composition Variations Among Older Adults

Elisabetta Marini, Roberto Buffa, Luis Alberto Gobbo, Guillermo Salinas-Escudero, Silvia Stagi, Carmen García-Peña, Sergio Sánchez-García and María Fernanda Carrillo-Vega
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Elisabetta Marini: Department of Life and Environmental Science, Neuroscience and Anthropological Section, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
Roberto Buffa: Department of Life and Environmental Science, Neuroscience and Anthropological Section, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
Luis Alberto Gobbo: Department of Physical Education, School of Technology and Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Presidente Prudente, São Paulo 19060-900, Brazil
Guillermo Salinas-Escudero: Center for Economic and Social Studies in Health, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
Silvia Stagi: Department of Life and Environmental Science, Neuroscience and Anthropological Section, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
Carmen García-Peña: Research Department, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Mexico City 10200, Mexico
Sergio Sánchez-García: Epidemiology and Health Services Research Unit, Aging Area, IMSS, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
María Fernanda Carrillo-Vega: Geriatric Epidemiology Unit, Research Department, National Institute of Geriatrics, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Mexico City 10200, Mexico

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-9

Abstract: The aim of the study was to analyze sex and age-related body composition variations among older adults from the Brazilian, Italian, and Mexican population. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 1103 community-dwelling older adults (634 women and 469 men), aged 60 to 89 years, living in Brazil ( n = 176), Italy ( n = 554), and Mexico ( n = 373). Anthropometric measurements were taken, BMI was calculated, and impedance measurements were obtained (resistance, R, reactance, Xc). Specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (specific BIVA) was applied, with the specific vector defined by impedance, or vector length (Z = (Rsp 2 + Xcsp) 0.5 ), and phase angle (PA = arctan Xc/R 180/π). Population, sex, and age differences in anthropometric and bioelectrical variables were evaluated by means of a two way ANOVA. The mean bioelectrical vectors were graphed by confidence ellipses and statistically compared by the Hotelling’s T 2 test. The three population groups showed differences in body mass and composition ( p < 0.001): the Brazilian sample was characterized by greater body dimensions, longer vectors (higher relative content of fat mass), and lower phase angles (lower skeletal muscle mass). Men were taller and heavier than women ( p < 0.001) but had a similar BMI ( p = 0.102). They also had higher phase angle (higher skeletal muscle mass) ( p < 0.001) and lower vector length (lower %FM) ( p < 0.001). In the three population groups, the oldest individuals showed lower anthropometric and phase angle values with respect to the youngest ones ( p < 0.001), whereas the vector length did not change significantly with age ( p = 0.665). Despite the differences between sexes and among populations, the trend of age-related variations was similar in the Brazilian, Italian, and Mexican older adults.

Keywords: body composition; anthropometry; specific BIVA; elderly (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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