COMPARATIVE-EVALUATION OF BODY-COMPOSITION IN MEDICALLY STABLE ELDERLY

Objective Accurate assessment is needed to identify the nutritional st atus of elderly persons. Anthropometric data were collected to describ e body composition of the sample, including blacks and whites aged 55 to 89 years, and to explore the usefulness of several methods of body composition measurement. Design Baseline measurements were made as par t of a longitudinal study. Body composition variables, particularly le an and lean-to-height measures, were used. Subjects/setting One hundre d twenty-nine free-living medically stable elderly at senior community centers were self-selected into the study. Statistical analysis Descr iptive statistics were generated for all variable by gender, race, and age (<65, 65 to 74, and greater than or equal to 75 years). Actual he ight was correlated with estimated height using published equations. A nalysis of variance revealed the effect of gender, race, or age on out come variables. Results White women, black women, and white men made u p 54%, 23%, and 23% of the sample, respectively. Most gender differenc es were expected. Black women had greater weight, body mass index, arm muscle circumference, and ratio of lean to height but lower percent l ean body mass than white women. Subjects over 75 years old were shorte r, lighter, and had lower ratio of lean to height. Gender and age had the greatest effect on ratio of lean to height. Conclusions/applicatio ns A lean-to-height index appears to be a useful tool for tracking the status of lean mass in the elderly. Knee height may be especially use ful because it, unlike stature, does not decrease with age. Furthermor e, some published equations for estimating stature from knee height ne ed adjustment, specifically for elderly black women.