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Age-related patterns in body composition for men aged 20-79 yr
M G Bemben1, B H Massey, D A Bemben
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 61801, USA.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|February 1, 1995
Summary
Body fat increases with age, while fat-free body mass is maintained longer than previously thought. This study reveals age-related changes in body composition for men aged 20-79.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Human Physiology
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Previous research indicated significant declines in fat-free body mass (FFM) between ages 30 and 70.
- Body weight typically increases until age 50, suggesting complex age-related body composition changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related patterns in body composition, specifically fat-free body mass and fat mass, in adult men.
- To determine how body density and fat distribution change across different adult age groups.
Main Methods:
- 157 men aged 20-79 years were studied, with approximately 15 men in each 5-year age group.
- Total body composition was assessed using hydrodensitometry (underwater weighing).
- Subcutaneous fat was measured using skinfold calipers at various body locations.
Main Results:
- Body density decreased progressively with age, with men under 40 showing significantly higher densities than older men.
- Fat-free body mass showed a gradual decline but no significant decrease until age 70.
- Fat mass increased with age, with men over 40 having significantly higher total body fat than younger men.
- Abdominal skinfold thickness increased significantly with age, indicating central fat accumulation.
Conclusions:
- Fat-free body mass is maintained to a later age than previously reported.
- The age-related decrease in body density is primarily attributable to an increase in body fat, particularly in the trunk region.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering fat mass accumulation in aging men.