Nutritional status of healthy, active, Chinese elderly

1. Anthropometric indices are presented for 402 healthy Chinese elderly subjects leading an active life in the community in Hong Kong. 2. Women had higher body-mass index (weight/height) and body fat, while fat-free mass, arm-muscle circumference and corrected arm-muscle area were higher in men. Body-mass index, fat-free mass, arm-muscle circumference and corrected arm-muscle area did not decline with age. Total body fat was lower in women aged 75 years and above compared with those aged 60-64 years. 3. All values were lower than those for elderly Caucasians. A different criteria for severe wasting malnutrition among elderly Chinese should be established.