Age variations in adiposity and body fat composition among older Bengalee Hindu women of Calcutta, India

Bibliographic Data

ID7637848
AuthorsKaushik Bose (0000-0003-2283-4682, Vidyasagar University), A B Das Chaudhuri, A B Chaudhuri
Year2003
Volume61
Issue3
Pages311-321
Publication date2003-09-05
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnthropologischer Anzeiger (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-5548 • E-ISSN: 2363-7099
PublisherSchweizerbart (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1127/anthranz/61/2003/311
PMID14524004
OpenAlexW2402479567
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited4

A cross-sectional study of 279 older (50+ years) urban Bengalee Hindu women was undertaken to study age variations in adiposity, body composition, obesity and central fat distribution. The women were divided into three groups: Group I (G I, 50-59 years), Group II (G II, 60-69 years) and Group III (G III, 70+ years). A significant decreasing age trend was observed in adiposity and body fat composition measures. Women in G I had significantly higher means compared with those in G III. Individuals in G II had intermediate values. However, there was no significant age trend in muscle measures and indices of central body fat distribution. The results revealed that significantly more women in G III (45.8%) were malnourished (BMI or = 25). The levels of malnourishment (21.6%) and obesity (24.5%) in G II were intermediate between G I and G III. Age had significant negative correlations with measures of adiposity and body fat composition. Regression analysis revealed that age had significant negative effect on these anthropometric measures. This significant negative impact of age remained even after controlling for the effect of BMI. In conclusion, the present investigation revealed that among older Bengalee Hindu women, there is a significant inverse age trend in adiposity and body fat composition, which is independent of overall adiposity (BMI). However, with ageing, muscle and central body fat distribution remain the same. Furthermore, with increasing age, there is a trend of increasing levels of malnourishment and decreasing levels of obesity.

Ageing · Anthropometry · Body mass index · Fat distribution · Obesity · Body Composition Measurement Techniques · Demography · Endocrinology · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Nutrition and Health in Aging · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

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