Anthropometry and health in the elderly.

Measurements of height, weight, skinfold thicknesses, and circumferences were obtained along with data on health practices and disease from 424 independent-living elderly in the Houston area. The objectives of the study were to examine anthropometric measurements of younger (58 through 74 years) and older (75 through 100 years) elderly individuals and to assess relationships between these measurements and health behaviors and disorders. Results demonstrated differences in anthropometric indexes due to aging and sex. Individuals who considered themselves to be more active than peers or who smoked had lower values for some anthropometric variables such as body mass index and waist circumference. Those who drank alcoholic beverages had lower values for some variables than those who stated that they did not drink alcohol. Diabetes and hypertension in the younger elderly were associated with higher values of some measurements, including waist circumference and body mass index. Anthropometric measurements in the elderly varied with sex, age, health practices, and the presence of certain disorders.