ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present study has been to determine, in a population group over 80 years of age in a publicly-funded geriatric institution, the anthropometric parameters that represent reference values for the study of nutritional status. These parameters allow detection of alterations in the nutritional status which, once corrected, will contribute to maintaining an appropriate quality of life in a population group that is highly sensitive to the associated morbidity and mortality processes. In order to carry out this study, a sample of 56 healthy elderly individuals was selected (13 men and 43 women) with a mean age of 86.5 +/- 4.8 years and a range from 80 to 101 years. The parameters measured were: weight, height, tricipital fold, brachial perimeter and the following values calculated on the basis of these figures: body mass index, percentage of body fat, brachial muscular area, brachial muscular perimeter, brachial adipose area and the ratio of muscle to adipose tissue. These values were processed statistically with the assistance of the RSB-SIGMA computer software, with calculation of the percentiles, the mean, and the comparison between the sexes. The criterion for statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Our results confirm the presence of significant differences in the muscle parameters, which are greater in men than in women, whereas the fat parameters are higher in the latter. Thus, it is concluded that weight, height, brachial muscle area and brachial muscle perimeter are significantly higher in men whereas tricipital fold, percentage of body fat, the brachial adipose area and the muscle to adipose tissue ratio are significantly superior among women. There are no significant differences by gender in the body mass index and the brachial perimeter.
Subject(s)
Anthropometry , Institutionalization , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
El objetivo del presente trabajo ha sido determinar, en un grupo de población de más de 80 años de una residencia geriátrica pública, los parámetros antropométricos que constituyen valores de referencia para el estudio del estado nutricional. Estos parámetros permiten detectar alteraciones en el estado nutricional que corrregidas ayudarán a mantener una adecuada calidad de vida en un grupo de población muy sensible a los procesos asociados de morbimortalidad. Para la realización de este estudio se seleccionó una muestra de 56 ancianos sanos (13 varones y 43 mujeres), con una media de edad de 86,5 +/- 4,8 años y un rango comprendido entre 80 y 101 años. Los parámetros medidos fueron: peso, talla, pliegue tricipital, perímetro braquial y los valores calculados a partir de éstos: índice de masa corporal, porcentaje de grasa corporal, área muscular braquial, perímetro muscular braquial, área adiposa braquial y el índice adiposo muscular. Estos valores fueron procesados estadísticamente con ayuda del programa informático RSB-SIGMA y se calcularon los percentiles, la media, y la comparación entre sexos. Se estableció como criterio de diferencias significativas una p<0,05. Nuestros resultados constatan la presencia de diferencias significativas en los parámetros musculares, los cuales son mayores en los varones que en las mujeres, mientras que los parámetros grasos son más elevados en éstas últimas. Así se concluye que, peso, tala, área muscular braquial y perímetro muscular braquial son significativamente más elevados en los varones que en las mujeres. Por otra parte el pliegue tricipital, el porcentaje de grasa corporal, el área adiposa braquial y el índice adiposo muscular lo son en mujeres. No hay diferencias significativas por sexos en el índice de masa corporal y el perímetro braquial (AU)
The purpose of the present study has been to determine, in a population group over 80 years of age in a publicly- funded geriatric institution, the anthropometric parameters that represent reference values for the study of nutritional status. These parameters allow detection of alterations in the nutritional status which, once corrected, will contribute to maintaining an appropriate quality of life in a population group that is highly sensitive to the associated morbidity and mortality processes. In order to carry out this study, a sample of 56 healthy elderly individuals was selected (13 men and 43 women) with a mean age of 86.5 ± 4.8 years and a range from 80 to 101 years. The parameters measured were: weight, height, tricipital fold, brachial perimeter and the following values calculated on the basis of these figures: body mass index, percentage of body fat, brachial muscular area, brachial muscular perimeter, brachial adipose area and the ratio of muscle to adipose tissue. These values were processed statistically with the assistance of the RSB-SIGMA computer software, with calculation of the percentiles, the mean, and the comparison between the sexes. The criterion for statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Our results confirm the presence of significant differences in the muscle parameters, which are greater in men than in women, whereas the fat parameters are higher in the latter. Thus, it is concluded that weight, height, brachial muscle area and brachial muscle perimeter are significantly higher in men whereas tricipital fold, percentage of body fat, the brachial adipose area and the muscle to adipose tissue ratio are significantly superior among women. There are no significant differences by gender in the body mass index and the brachial perimeter (AU)
