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Relation between body fat and age in 4 ethnic groups
J W Mott1, J Wang, J C Thornton
1Nutrition Research Center, Department of Medicine, St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10025, USA.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|May 8, 1999
Summary
Body fat peaks in middle age and declines in older adults, supporting the hypothesis that elderly individuals have less body fat than middle-aged persons. This study analyzed body composition across four ethnic groups.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Human Physiology
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Conflicting previous research on age-related body fat changes.
- Uncertainty regarding whether body fat decreases in the elderly compared to middle-aged individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between age and body fat across four distinct ethnic groups.
- To test the hypothesis that body fat is lower in elderly individuals compared to middle-aged ones.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 4-component model of body composition to measure body fat in 1324 volunteers (aged 20-94).
- Studied four ethnic groups: Asians, Blacks, Puerto Ricans, and Whites.
- Developed regression models to analyze fat mass and fat percentage as functions of age.
Main Results:
- A significant curvilinear relationship between age and body fat was observed in most groups (P < 0.001).
- Peak body fat occurred in late middle age, with lower levels in younger and older individuals.
- Maximum body fat predicted between ages 53-71, varying by group and measure (fat mass vs. percentage).
- Puerto Rican men showed no significant age-related trend in fat mass, and a positive linear trend for fat percentage.
Conclusions:
- The study provides data on age and body fat across diverse ethnic groups.
- Findings support the hypothesis that elderly individuals have lower body fat compared to middle-aged individuals.