A 5-year longitudinal study of changes in body composition in women in the perimenopause and beyond
Date
2020
Authors
Wong, Joseph C
O'Neill, Sheila
Beck, Belinda R
Forwood, Mark
Khoo, Soo Keat
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Objective
Most studies of the age-related changes in body composition are cross-sectional in design: there have been few longitudinal studies. The aim of this 5-year study was to document body composition changes in perimenopausal and older women.
Study design
Prospective, longitudinal observational study.
Methods
489 women were randomly selected from the electoral roll and stratified into 4 age groups by decade: 40–49, 50–59, 60–69 and 70–79 years. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed in the first and fifth years of the study. Total body mass (TBM), total fat mass (TFM), total lean mass (TLM), abdominopelvic fat mass, and appendicular fat and lean mass were determined.
Results
There were significant increases in TBM (p < 0.001), TFM (p < 0.01), TLM (p < 0.05), arm fat mass (p < 0.05), leg fat mass (p < 0.001) and leg lean mass (p < 0.05) within the 40–49 age decade. TBM, TFM and abdominopelvic fat started to decline from the 50–59 decade. Abdominopelvic fat reduction was significant from the 50–59 decade to the later decades (p = 0.05 to p < 0.001). Arm lean mass showed a significant reduction from the 50–59 decade (p < 0.01). Leg lean mass declined from the 60–69 decade, reaching significance in the 70–79 decade (p = 0.05).
Conclusion
TFM and abdominopelvic fat declined from the 50–59 age decade, which is earlier than is suggested in the literature. Conversely, the decline in appendicular lean mass with age occurred later, from the 50–59 decade, with earlier and greater loss in the arms, which has implications for exercise strategies to maintain muscle mass from midlife on
Description
Keywords
Body composition, Age, Fat mass, Lean mass, DXA
Citation
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Source
Maturitas
Type
Journal article
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Restricted until
2099-12-31
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