Different limit to the body's ability of increasing fat-free mass.

It is a common understanding that fat-free mass (FFM) increases with body weight. However, limited information is available as to the relationship between weight increase and changes in body composition. We performed the present study to determine quantitatively the relationship between body composition, total body weight, age, and sex. Body composition data were obtained by isotopic dilution on 273 subjects ranging in body mass index (BMI) from about 13 to 70 kg/m(2). Adipose free tissue (AFT) was modeled as a nonlinear, increase-limited function of body weight. Model parameters were evaluated as functions of sex, age, and height. The relationship between AFT and body weight was very well approximated by means of the nonlinear model (R(2) =.95), with maximal AFT being determined by both sex and height and with AFT growth rate determined only by sex. AFT clearly shows a nonlinear behavior, tending to increase less and less with progressively increasing body weight. With the proposed model, an asymptotic maximal AFT may be postulated. The organism seems to have an intrinsic limitation to how much skeletal muscle development may take place to accommodate the necessities of an ever-increasing load. These limits are different between the sexes, with women tending to approach more rapidly than men a lower maximal AFT for the same height. Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company