PREDICTORS OF LEAN BODY-MASS AND TOTAL ADIPOSE MASS IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING ELDERLY MEN AND WOMEN

As part of an ongoing longitudinal study, we analyzed cross-sectional data to identify the predictors of lean body mass (LBM) and total adip ose mass (TAM) in community-dwelling elderly men and women. Body compo sition analysis was done using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. A tot al 262 subjects (118 women and 144 men), 60 to 80 years of age, from t he urban and suburban communities of southeastern Wisconsin were studi ed. In women, the age (r = -.18), body mass index (BMI) (r = .43), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (r = .30), and in men, BMI (r = .45) and ins ulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (r = .32) were identified as predict ors (P < .05) of LBM. In women, the BMI (r = .87), WHR (r = .21), and functional work capacity (VO2 max) (r = .47), and in men, the BMI (r = .83), WHR (r = .52), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) (r = -.27 ), total testosterone (TT) (r -.35), free testosterone (FT) (r = -.23) , physical activity (LTE) (r -.32), and VO2 peak (r = -.59) were ident ified as predictors of TAM. After partialling out age in addition to t he predictors identified earlier, the VO2 peak was identified as a pre dictor (P < .05) of LBM in both women and men, and TT, FT, and LTE as predictors (P < .05) of LBM in men. We conclude that the BMI, WHR, and VO2 peak influences LBM and TAM in both women and men. Additionally, in men LBM and TAM is influenced by hormone profile.