Lean body mass: reference values for Italian population between 18 to 88 years old

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Body Composition Analysis
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Lean body mass (LBM) is a critical indicator of health, influencing morbidity and mortality.
• Establishing population-specific reference values for LBM and LBMI is essential for clinical assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple reference table for lean body mass (LBM) and lean body mass index (LBMI) tailored for the Italian population.
• To provide a tool for healthcare professionals to monitor LBM changes and aid in sarcopenia diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of anthropometric and DXA body composition data from 3712 Italian individuals (2002-2009).
• Statistical analysis using R 3.1.1 and SPSS 22.0, including parametric and nonparametric tests.

Main Results:

• LBM and LBMI were significantly higher in males compared to females.
• Both LBM and LBMI showed a significant age-related decline in both genders.
• Gender differences in LBMI were observed across most age groups, except for those over 75.

Conclusions:

• A reference table for LBM values was proposed based on the study's findings.
• This reference table is valuable for detecting LBM compartment changes in individuals, particularly in the South Central Region of Italy.
• The proposed table supports healthcare professionals in diagnosing sarcopenia.