ANTHROPOMETRIC VALUES IN AN ELDERLY FRENCH POPULATION

We compared anthropometric indices in samples of elderly people aged 6 5 years and over living in two French areas. The samples were divided into four age-groups (65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and over 80 years). We obser ved interregional differences in women aged 65-69 years and in men age d 65-74 years. Weight and anthropometric variables related to body fat percentage and to muscle mass showed a decline with age as already re ported by others. We established anthropometric percentile values acco rding to sex in pooled subjects when no integrated difference was foun d. The 50th percentile of arm circumference, muscle arm circumference and triceps skinfold was higher, and the 50th percentile of body mass index was lower than the one reported for the same indices from an eld erly Welsh population. Our results show that an interregional differen ce in anthropometric indices exists in the elderly. The differences wh ich are observed between our results and those reported from a British population emphasize the importance of establishing local values for the elderly population.