Anthropometric characteristics of rural elderly females in Malaysia

Abstract

Selected anthropometric measurements were examined for 305 Malay females age 55 and older from selected rural villages in Malaysia. Although height and indicators of stature were similar to elderly Asian females living in similar environments, the Malay females were comparatively heavier with more body fat. Age was negatively and significantly related to changes in standing and sitting heights, arm span, body weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, upper arm and arm muscle circumferences, mid-arm muscle area, triceps skinfolds, and mid-arm fat area. These age-related changes may be a function of biological, secular, or methodological variation. Both underweight and obesity appear to be prevalent, and waist-hip ratio trends indicate that excess body fat is preferentially deposited in the abdominal region. Such obesity trends may be contributing to the current rise in chronic disease death rates in Malaysia.

Anthropometric characteristics of older people in rural Malawi

“…Armspan did not change with age-group among women which is in keeping with other studies (Yassin & Terry, 1991;van Leer et al, 1992;Steele & Chernier, 1990). Weight was also lower in the higher age-groups in agreement with other studies (Yassin & Terry, 1991;Lehmann & Bassey, 1996). Most of the decline in weight is attributed to an age-related decline in body water (Rico et al, 1993).…”

“…Older females in the study were substantially shorter than the average adult Malawian females (154.9 cm vs 156 cm), (NSO, 1994) which could re¯ect a true decline in height or a secular trend (Noppa et al, 1980;van Leer et al, 1992). Armspan did not change with age-group among women which is in keeping with other studies (Yassin & Terry, 1991;van Leer et al, 1992;Steele & Chernier, 1990). Weight was also lower in the higher age-groups in agreement with other studies (Yassin & Terry, 1991;Lehmann & Bassey, 1996).…”

“…This could be due to loss of fat and lean muscle associated with ageing (Lipski et al, 1993). The difference in muscle area in age-groups was more prominent among females and similar ®ndings have been reported by RuizTorres et al (1995) and Yassin & Terry (1991) although Reid et al (1992) reported contrary results. The decline in muscle mass is attributed to the loss of protein and body water (Kuczmarski, 1989).…”

“…In developed countries, overnutrition tends to be a major concern whereas in developing countries undernutrition is the major public health concern (Launer & Harris, 1996). On the other hand, in Malaysia (Yassin & Terry, 1991), the prevalence of both underweight and overweight appears to be high and their anthropometric means are slightly higher than for Malawi. Genetic and environmental factors such as life-styles, socio-economic status, access to health facilities, health conditions and differences in mortality of older people bring about differences in anthropometric characteristics between populations (Launer & Harris, 1996).…”

“…Malnutrition among older people has been reported in developed countries (Lipschitz, 1992;Stuckey et al, 1984;DHSS, 1979;DHSS, 1972) and to a limited extent, in developing countries (Marlow et al, 1996;Ethangatta et al, 1996;Thoner, 1993;Yassin & Terry, 1991;Ndaba & O'Keefe, 1985). In Africa, studies on the well being of older people are now emerging (Allain et al, 1997;Aspray et al, 1996;Angura & Anyuru, 1994;Coombes et al, 1994;Nmadu, 1994;Matuja et al, 1994;McLigeyo, 1993;Wilson et al, 1991;Olubuyide et al, 1991;Apt, 1990;Pappoe et al, 1990;Hampson, 1985;Waterston, 1982;Drury, 1972) but most lack crucial nutrition data.…”