Anthropometric patterns in middle-aged and older rural Yucatec Maya women

Cross-cultural variation in body composition changes with age has not been fully investigated. Although studies involving anthropometric measurements of older people have been reported for some non-Westernized populations, little such research has been conducted in Latin America.

This study examines patterns associated with age in anthropometric indicators among a rural Maya population in Yucatán, México. Middle and older ages are included to promote a comprehensive age portrayal.

Stature, weight, and six trunk and limb circumferences were collected from 60 women aged 40.8-85.6 years. Several ratios and indices were also derived.

Age was strongly and negatively related to all body size and adiposity measures (beta from -0.422 to -0.603, p < 0.001). Associations between age and ratios/indices of adipose tissue distribution were positive and not as pronounced (beta from 0.280, p < 0.05 to 0.429, p < 0.001). Age had the largest negative influence on arm circumference, mid-thigh circumference, and weight (R2 = 0.36, p < 0.001) and the greatest positive impact on umbilicus/arm ratio (R2 = 0.18, p < 0.001).

Three major anthropometric patterns are demonstrated: in successively older women, muscle mass is significantly lower, central adipose tissue predominance is significantly greater, and overall adiposity is significantly lower. In the first two patterns, Maya women conform to findings from Western settings; in the latter pattern, these women diverge from Western results, but corroborate findings from some non-Westernized groups.