Normative anthropometric values in older people from Northeast Brazil: a population study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe and analyze the anthropometric profile of older adults residents in a small municipality in Northeastern Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 211 older people. Face-to-face interviews and anthropometric measurements were performed. The anthropometric indicators were calf circumference (CC) and arm circumference (AC), arm muscle area (AMA), corrected arm muscle area (CAMA), arm muscle circumference (AMC), waist circumference (WC), triceps skinfold (TSF), arm adipose area (AAA) and body mass index (BMI). Percentiles, means, medians, minimum and maximum values, standard deviations, and interquartile ranges were used. In the comparative analyses a 5% significance level was adopted. It was identified that men had higher values in CC, AMA, AMC, and CAMA, and women had higher TSF, AAA, and BMI. By age groups it was found that older women aged 60-69 and 70-79 years had higher CC and TSF than longevous women. It was also found that women aged 60-69 years had higher AC, AMC, AMA, CAMA and AAA when compared to those in other age groups. Furthermore, older women aged 60-69 years showed higher WC and BMI when compared to those aged ≥80 years. In males, it was identified that in the 60-69 and 70-79 age groups, the AC, AMC, AMA, and CAMA values were higher than in the ≥80 age group. The evidence suggests that in the evaluated population, men had higher values in variables related to muscle mass, while women had higher values in those related to adiposity. In both sexes, the younger older people had higher values in the indicators of muscle mass and longevous women had lower adiposity.