Longitudinal changes in fat distribution in the Western Collaborative Group Study: a 23-year follow-up

Anthropometric measurements for a total of 1,150 surviving subjects aged 65-86 and examined twice 23 years apart were analyzed with the following objectives: (1) to determine longitudinal changes on a large battery of anthropometric measures, (2) to examine the persistence of individual differences in the distribution of fat and relative weight, and (3) to investigate the relationship between changes in weight and changes in fat distribution. Significant changes toward an increase in size with age were observed in younger subjects below the age of 50 when first examined. In older subjects, age greater than or equal to 50, we observed a decrease in stature of 1.2 cm per decade, an overall decrease in weight of 1.6 kg, and no significant changes in trunk skinfold thickness. Longitudinal changes were most pronounced in the redistribution of fat and were also independent of weight changes. The relationships between measures of abdominal fat and overall obesity were stronger at follow-up than 23 years earlier.