BODY-COMPOSITION IN THE ELDERLY - TOTAL-BODY WATER AND ANTHROPOMETRY

Body composition measured with isotopic dilution was compared with ant hropometric measurements. The study was carried out in 47 subjects fro m both sexes, 65 to 92 years old. Total body water (TBW), anthropometr ic measurements, and dynamometry were assessed. TBW was significativel y higher in men than women and decreased with age. Dynamometry and fat -free mass were well correlated (r = 0.73 ill males and r = 0.58 in fe males) and significantly different between sexes. A negative col relat ion was found for dynamometry with age, being significant for women. L inear regression equations to predict TBW from anthropometric measurem ents in males and females were obtained: Males: TBW(I) = 19.349 + 0.61 7 weight(kg) - 0.931 mid-arm circumference(cm) + 0.122 dynamometry (kg ) Females: TBW(I) = -5.531 + 0.343 weight(kg) -0.213 triceps skinfold (mm)+ 0.148 dynamometry(kg) + 3.424 wrist diameter (cm). This simple m odel is proposed for use ill epidemiological and field studies where o ther more sophisticated methods can not be applied.