Explaining body composition by some covariate factors among the elderly Bengalee Hindu women of Calcutta, India.

Understanding the changes in body composition with passage of time and factors associated with them will help to improve our knowledge and understanding about these processes and could guide in the prevention of functional limitations and formulation of better health care among the elderly. The present cross-sectional work was under taken to study the effect of age, menopause, age at first conception, educational level and physical activity in explaining body composition among 200 elderly (55 years and above) Bengalee Hindu women of Calcutta, India. Body composition measures namely percentage of body fat (PBF), fat mass index (FMI), and fat free mass index (FFMI) were calculated from skinfolds thickness using standard equations. Multiple regression analyses of body composition variables by covariate factors revealed that Age, age of onset of menopause, age at first conception, educational level and frequency of walking cumulative explains 35%, 28% and 21% of PBF, FMI and FFMI respectively. Present study revealed that beside age, both biosocial (age of onset of menopause, age at first conception, education level) and physical activity as measured by brisk walking have significant contribution in explaining body composition among elderly females. Significant negative impact of physical activity on PBF, FMI and positive impact on FFMI in the present study were also evident. Therefore, brisk walking could be useful to increase body's fat free mass.