Anthropometric characteristics and body composition in Mexican older adults: age and sex differences.

Anthropometric reference data for older adults, particularly for the oldest old, are still limited, especially in developing countries. The aim of the present study was to describe sex- and age-specific distributions of anthropometric measurements and body composition in Mexican older adults. The methods included in the present study were assessment of height, weight, BMI, calf circumference (CC), waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) as well as knee height in a sample of 8883 Mexican adults aged 60 years and above and the estimation of sex- and age-specific differences in these measures. Results of the study (n 7865, 54% women) showed that men are taller, have higher BMI, and larger WC than women, whereas women presented higher prevalence of obesity and adiposity. Overall prevalence of underweight was 2·3% in men and 4·0% in women, with increasing prevalence with advancing age. Significant differences were found by age group for weight, height, WC, HC, CC, BMI and knee height (P<0·001), but no significant differences in waist-hip circumference were observed. Significant differences between men and women were found in height, weight, circumferences, BMI and knee height (P<0·001). These results, which are consistent with studies of older adults in other countries, can be used for comparison with other Mexican samples including populations living in the USA and other countries with similar developmental and socio-economic conditions. This information can also be used as reference in clinical settings as a tool for detection of individuals at risk of either underweight or overweight and obesity.

O uso de academias da terceira idade por idosos modifica parâmetros morfofuncionais? / Does the use of third age fitness centers by the elderly modify morphofunctional parameters?

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as características morfofuncionais de usuários de Academias da Terceira Idade (ATIs) na cidade de Maringá, Estado do Paraná. O estudo contou com 86 indivíduos (28 homens (67,8 ± 5,4 anos) e 58 mulheres (67,6 ± 6,0 anos)). Os parâmetros morfofuncionais foram divididos em antropométricos (Índice de Massa Corporal - IMC e a Relação Cintura-Quadril - RCQ) e funcionais (níveis pressóricos - PA). Foi usada a estatística descritiva para tratamento dos dados. Em relação ao estado nutricional, homens apresentaram valores maiores de IMC em comparação às mulheres. Quanto à distribuição regional de gordura, as mulheres apresentaram RCQ mais alto quando separados pelos diferentes estratos, embora em valores absolutos a média masculina tenha sido maior. Quanto a PA, homens mostraram tendência de valores mais elevados, mas ambos os gêneros tiveram reduções nos valores de PA na reavaliação, especialmente as mulheres. É possível concluir que o período de três a seis meses de prática nas ATIs não foi capaz de produzir mudanças significativas nos parâmetros morfológicos de indivíduos acima de 60 anos, independente do gênero. Modificações na função cardiovascular sinalizam importantes reduções nos níveis pressóricos, indicando que a prescrição individualizada e a regularidade de atividade física são essenciais para a obtenção de melhoras mais expressivas.

The objective of the study was to analyze the morphofunctional characteristics from users of Third Age Fitness Centers (TAFC) in the city of Maringá, Parana State. The study involved 86 individuals ­ 28 men (67.8 ± 5.4 years of age old) and 58 women (67.6 ± 6.0 years old). The morphofunctional parameters were divided into anthropometric (Body Mass Index ­ BMI and Waist-Hip Ratio ­ WHR) and functional (blood pressure ­ BP). The method used for data processing was descriptive statistics. With regard to nutritional status, men showed higher BMI values compared to women. As for regional body fat distribution, women had higher WHR when separated by different strata, although in absolute values the male average was higher. As for BP, men showed a trend for higher values, but both genders had reductions in BP values in the reassessment, especially women. We can conclude that the three to six-month period of practice at ATA was not able to produce significant changes in the morphologic parameters of individuals over 60 years of age old, regardless of gender. Changes in cardiovascular function indicate important reductions in blood pressure levels, indicating that individualized prescription and regular physical activity are essentials to achieving most significant improvements.