Comparative Evaluation of Body Composition in Medically Stable Elderly

Hurley, Roberta S.; Bartlett, Betty J; Witt, David D.; Thomas, Alicia; Taylor, Evelyn

doi:10.1016/s0002-8223(97)00270-8

Cited by 15 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…There are several publications which describe the estimation of the height of elderly subjects by the use of knee height [5][6][7][8][9][22][23][24] , but to our knowledge no equations for the estimation of height from demi-span of elderly subjects exist, although a study showed that arm measurements are the method most easily obtainable in a group of elderly patients and that demi-span could be measured in the largest amount of patients (75.6%) [20] . Taking into account that demi-span is designed to estimate maximum height due to its slow decrease with age [3] , we developed equations which corrected the estimated height by age.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of Height and Body Mass Index from Demi-Span in Elderly Individuals

et al. 2006

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Background: Obtaining accurate height and, consequently, body mass index (BMI) measurements in elderly subjects can be difficult due to changes in posture and loss of height during ageing. Measurements of other body segments can be used as an alternative to estimate standing height, but population- and age-specific equations are necessary. Objective: Our objectives were to validate existing equations, to develop new simple equations to predict height in an elderly Spanish population and to assess the accuracy of the BMI calculated by estimated height from the new equations. Methods: We measured height and demi-span in a representative sample of 592 individuals, 271 men and 321 women, 65 years and older (mean ± SD, 73.8 ± 6.3 years). We suggested equations to predict height from demi-span by multiple regression analyses and performed an agreement analysis between measured and estimated indices. Results: Height estimated from demi-span correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with measured height (men: r = 0.708, women: r = 0.625). The best prediction equations were as follows: men, height (in cm) = 77.821 + (1.132 × demi-span in cm) + (–0.215 × 5-year age category); women: height (in cm) = 88.854 + (0.899 × demi-span in cm) + (–0.692 × 5-year age category). No significant differences between the mean values of estimated and measured heights were found for men (–0.03 ± 4.6 cm) or women (–0.02 ± 4.1 cm). The BMI derived from measured height did not differ significantly from the BMI derived from estimated height either. Conclusion: Predicted height values from equations based on demi-span and age may be acceptable surrogates to derive accurate nutritional indices such as the BMI, particularly in elderly populations, where height may be difficult to measure accurately.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of Height and Body Mass Index from Demi-Span in Elderly Individuals

et al. 2006

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“…The distribution of body fat deposition shifts with aging in humans (2,4,5,(37)(38)(39)(40) and other animals (7,11,28,41). We dissected all discrete internal fat depots and two peripheral depots in order to examine differences in fat distribution in aging male Brown Norway rats.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analysis of Age-Associated Changes in Body Composition of Male Brown Norway Rats: Association of Serum Leptin Levels With Peripheral Adiposity

Wolden‐Hanson

Marck

Smith

et al. 1999

The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and M

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'GeriatrieResearch, Education and ClinicalCenter, Veterans Administration PugetSoundHealthCare System, and 2Division of Gerontology and Geriatrie Medicine, Departrnent of Medicine, and 3Population Centerfor Researchin Reproduction, University ofWashingtonSchoolofMedicine, Seattle. AGING is associated with altered body composition (fat and ./'"\..lean mass and bone mineralcontent) in humans (1-6), nonhuman primates(7), rats (8-10), and other animals,and with adverse physiological consequencesrelatedto changes in the body habitus. Adipose tissue mass increases from middle to old age, and is associated with insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance, which contribute to development of Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM) and its sequelae (11)(12)(13)(14). An age-associated decrease oflean mass, specifically skeletalmuscle mass (sarcopenia), results in weakness, poor immune function, and impaired thermoregulation (2,6,15). In humans,decreasedbone mass is a hallmark of aging. Bone mineral density and content decrease in women after menopause, but also in aged men, and may lead to osteoporosis and an increasedrate of debilitating fractures (3,16). The mechanisms underlyingthese changesin body composition are unclear. However, alterations in the endocrinesystemare implicated, includingdecreased levelsof trophic hormones (estrogen, testosterone,and growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1]) and increasedinsulin levels (l, 17).We have been investigatingthe neuroendocrinemechanisms of age-related alterations in reproductive function, and energy (food intake and body weight) regulation in the male Brown Norway rat, and have found it to be a very good model of human aging. Compared to outbred strains, the genetic homogeneity of this inbred rat model ensures greater uniformity of responsesto experimentalmanipulations, with smaller numbers of animals needed. The National Instituteof Aging maintains a breeding colony of Brown Norway BN/Bi (BN) rats in a specific pathogen-free environment, ensuring a long disease-free survival rate; this colony has a 50% survival age of 32 months for males (18). The use of this strain of rat as a model of human aging has several advantages over other strains that are commonly used in biomedical research. Unlike Fischer 344 (F344) or F344/BN hybrid rats (18,19), Brown Norway rats do not develop pituitary tumors that result in gonadotropin deficiency and/or hyperprolactinemia, or testicular tumors producing excessive amounts ofprogesterone, nor do they develop the extreme obesity that is common to many inbred strains of ratsall conditions that would confound studies of reproduction and energy balance. In contrast to other aging rat models, glomerulonephritisand pneumonitis are rare in Brown Norwayrats, and testicular function is maintained until old age when serum testosterone levelsdecline (20).We reported previously that aging Brown Norwayrats exhibited reduced rates of food intake and body weight gain, accompanied by decreased expression of neuropeptideY (NPY, a potent neuropeptide stimula...

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“…The aging process does not affect the length of long bones, such as those in arms and legs, as it does vertebral height (13)(14)(15). Furthermore, predicted stature is considered a valid surrogate to be used in the construction of anthropometric indexes (10) and adjusting and interpreting of body-composition measurements (14,16,17).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%