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Age-related changes of body composition structure based on differences in morphological qualities of Japanese

Toshiro Sakai1, Shinichi Demura, Katsunori Fujii

  • 1Faculty of Modern Communication Studies, Hamamatsu Gakuin University, Japan. sakai@hgu.ac.jp

Journal of Physiological Anthropology
|December 27, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Body Mass Index (BMI) effectively tracks body fat percentage and muscle percentage in preschool children. Age-related body composition changes were observed, with girls showing earlier development shifts than boys.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Human Physiology
  • Biostatistics

Background:

  • Understanding pediatric body composition is crucial for assessing growth and health.
  • Age-related changes in body fat and muscle mass percentages require accurate measurement tools.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze age-related body composition changes in preschool children using Body Mass Index (BMI).
  • To determine the relationship between BMI, body fat percentage (%Fat), and muscle percentage.
  • To map the distribution of fat and muscle percentages across different ages and sexes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized regression analysis to model BMI and body composition parameters in 533 preschool children (260 boys, 273 girls).
  • Developed regression polynomial evaluation charts to assess %Fat and muscle percentages against BMI.
  • Created frequency distribution maps to examine age-related changes in fat and muscle accumulation.

Main Results:

  • A complementary relationship was found between BMI and %Fat.
  • An inverse relationship was observed between BMI and muscle percentages.
  • Body composition distribution maps showed age-related changes in girls but not in boys, suggesting earlier developmental shifts in girls.

Conclusions:

  • BMI serves as a reliable index for both %Fat and muscle percentages in preschool children.
  • Preschool girls exhibit earlier body composition maturation (fat decrease) compared to boys, likely due to earlier puberty onset.

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