Relationship between anthropometric nutritional status and functional capacity in older adults living in the community

Abstract

Background: The functional fitness of older people may be associated with their nutritional status. Aim: To assess the association between of anthropometric measures with functional fitness in older people. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in 75 participants aged 65 to 89 years. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), fat mass (FM) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were calculated from anthropometric measures. The functional fitness was determined using the Senior Fitness Test battery. Results: BMI and FM indicated obesity, and WHtR indicated cardiometabolic risk in 49%, 55% and 83% of participants, respectively. SMI indicated a low muscle mass in 91% of females. Performance standards of chair stand, arm curl, 2-min step test and 8-foot up-and-go tests were met in 1%, 8%, 1% and 89% of participants, respectively. Significant negative correlations were found between 2-min step test and BMI, WHtR and FM (r =-0.26,-0.31 and-0.48 respectively). Back scratch had a negative correlation with BMI (r =-0.23) and SMI (rho =-0.28). Significant positive correlations were found between 8-foot up-and-go, WHtR (rho = 0.28) and FM (rho = 0.23), and between 2-min step test and SMI (rho = 0.28). The coefficient of determination (R²) between 2-min step test with BMI, WHtR and FM were 0.05, 0.08 and 0.22, respectively, while the R² between back scratch and BMI was 0.04. Multiple regression models indicated that FM affected the 2-min step test independently of BMI and WHtR (adjusted R² = 0.22), however age and sex negatively influenced these associations. Conclusions: Functional fitness of older adults is influenced by nutritional anthropometric measures, particularly BMI, WHtR and FM for aerobic capacity, and BMI for upper limb flexibility.

Differences in quality of life and fitness level among men and women in the adulthood: a cross-sectional analysis

“…Several anthropometric variables have been previously suggested to be associated with aerobic capacity among older adults [ 24 , 25 ] and have been proposed to identify adults at risk of physical limitations and multimorbidity based on age [ 26 , 27 ]. A negative association between HRQoL and arterial pressure has been reported [ 28 ].…”

Body composition and functional performance of older adults

“…The hormonal changes at menopause put women at risk for increased body weight and visceral fat deposition, while also decreasing fat-free mass and reducing muscle mass. The reduction in muscle mass leads to a lower basal metabolic rate and a progressive reduction in total energy expenditure, also contributing to the increase in fat tissue [ 4 , 12 ]. This divergence in response to aging between sexes, yet greater longevity experienced by women highlight the challenge communities face when dealing with health and wellcare of aging women.…”

“…Guede-Rojas et al. [ 12 ], revealed that older men out performed women on 2 functional tests, the 2-min step test and the sit-and-reach test. Tangen et al.…”

Differences of body composition and physical strength among Japanese and Thai older adults living in Chiang Mai, Thailand: an inter-ethnic cross-sectional study

“…The results of the multivariable logistic regression also suggest that gender, age, and BMI are major determinants of SMI. Other studies have also shown that these are important factors that influence SMI [ 36 – 39 ]. Owing to our small sample size, it is difficult to generalize our research results regarding the determinants of SMI.…”