Study of body composition in elderly active women by the anthropometric and deuterium oxide methods

Abstract

Aging is accompanied by changes in body composition, including a decrease the free fat mass (FFM) and a progressive increase in the fat mass (FM). The objective this study was to report the body composition in elderly active women, using the anthropo­metric and deuterium oxide methods, and to analyze the concordance between them, the last one being considered the gold standard. Twenty two non-dependent elderly women aging 65-75 years old were evaluated. Body weight was assessed using a digital scale (Filizola) and height was measured with a vertical bar stadiometer. The level of physical activity was evaluated using the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ-long version). Body composition was assessed by anthropometry, using the equations of Jackson et al. and Durnin and Womersley, and by the deuterium oxide (2H2O). Statistical analysis was done using the Lin concordance correlation coefficient and the Bland and Altman graphs. Mean age was 69.3 ± 3.6 years, weight 67.2 ± 10.6 kg, height 1.55 ± 0.04 m and body mass index 27.9 ± 5.0 kg/m2. The concordance correlation coefficient obtained by the equations of Jackson et al. and Durnin and Womersley, compared with the deuterium were: %FM 0.72 and 0.71; FM 0.90 and 0.91; and FFM 0.46 and 0.57. The equations used in this study showed good concordance between the anthropometry and deuterium, but the equation of Durnin and Womersley showed better results in the assessment of body composition in elderly active women.