Aging, body composition, and lifestyle

Introduction The amounts of fat and fat-free mass (FFM) in adults change with increasing age as a function of a variety of factors, from physical activity to menopausal status to nutrition and disease. The status of the fat and FFM compartments is associated with and serves as established risk factors for a variety of chronic disease from middle to old age. Body composition can also be used in assessments of functional status, disability, and mortality. Understanding the scope of the age- related change in body composition and the factors associated with them in healthy adults will help to improve our knowledge and understanding of these processes and assist in the prevention of functional limitation and in the management of health status into old age. Objective The study aimed the relationship between body composition and weight changes with age, with the level of physical activity. Results and discussions The changes in body composition and weight were lower in elderlies which maintained a constant physical activity customised to their age. These changes were less obvious in women. Differences between women and men could be explained also based on the differences between FFM and total FM, FFM in men being better represented. In menopausal women the estrogens level drops, which can be an associated cofactor altering the changes which occur in body composition and weight. Conclusions A significant decrease in FFM and increases in total body fat, weight and BMI occur with age. Significant positive effects of physical activity are increases in fat-free mass and decreases in total body fat. A lower fat-free mass can be improved by an increased level of physical activity.

Contribution proposed for:   poster presentation