G P Nassis1, N D Geladas. 1. Department of Sport Medicine and Biology of Physical, Activity Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Athens, Daphne, Greece. gnassis@cc.uoa.gr
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the age-related pattern in body composition changes for women 18-69 years old. A secondary objective was to assess the relationship between accumulated physical activity and body composition. METHODS: Anthropometric measures, including height, body mass, waist and hip circumference and skinfolds thickness, were taken from 441 healthy women placed in 5 age groups (group 1: 18-29 years, n=71; group 2: 30-39 years, n=69; group 3: 40-49 years, n=159; group 4: 50-59 years, n=92 and group 5: 60-69 years, n=50). Physical activity was assessed with a questionnaire. A 1-way ANOVA, with group 1 as the control and Pearson correlation coefficient were employed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Body Mass Index, fat mass and waist to hip ratio were all higher in the age groups of 40-49 years and above (21.8+/-0.4 kg/m(2), 14.7+/-0.6 kg, 0.73+/-0.01 for age group 18-29 years and 24.7+/-0.3 kg/m(2), 20.8+/-0.4 kg and 0.76+/-0.01 for age group 40-49 years, respectively; means+/-S.E.M; p<0.01 for all variables). In contrast, fat free mass remained unchanged in the age spectrum studied. Central adiposity, as indicated by the trunk to extremity skinfold ratio, increased after 50-59 years compared with the 18-29 years old group (p<0.01). Body fatness and central adiposity were associated with aging (r=0.16 to 0.46, p<0.05), but not with accumulated physical activity. CONCLUSION: The results of this cross-sectional study showed an age-related increase in body fatness and central adiposity with no detectable change in fat free mass in these women. These changes were not associated with physical activity.
AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the age-related pattern in body composition changes for women 18-69 years old. A secondary objective was to assess the relationship between accumulated physical activity and body composition. METHODS: Anthropometric measures, including height, body mass, waist and hip circumference and skinfolds thickness, were taken from 441 healthy women placed in 5 age groups (group 1: 18-29 years, n=71; group 2: 30-39 years, n=69; group 3: 40-49 years, n=159; group 4: 50-59 years, n=92 and group 5: 60-69 years, n=50). Physical activity was assessed with a questionnaire. A 1-way ANOVA, with group 1 as the control and Pearson correlation coefficient were employed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Body Mass Index, fat mass and waist to hip ratio were all higher in the age groups of 40-49 years and above (21.8+/-0.4 kg/m(2), 14.7+/-0.6 kg, 0.73+/-0.01 for age group 18-29 years and 24.7+/-0.3 kg/m(2), 20.8+/-0.4 kg and 0.76+/-0.01 for age group 40-49 years, respectively; means+/-S.E.M; p<0.01 for all variables). In contrast, fat free mass remained unchanged in the age spectrum studied. Central adiposity, as indicated by the trunk to extremity skinfold ratio, increased after 50-59 years compared with the 18-29 years old group (p<0.01). Body fatness and central adiposity were associated with aging (r=0.16 to 0.46, p<0.05), but not with accumulated physical activity. CONCLUSION: The results of this cross-sectional study showed an age-related increase in body fatness and central adiposity with no detectable change in fat free mass in these women. These changes were not associated with physical activity.