Anthropometry and body composition in persons over 60. The importance of physical activity

OBJECTIVE: To measure anthropometric indicators of body composition by electric bioimpedence, as well as physical activity, blood glucose and arterial pressure in rural people over 60 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 54 subjects over 60 years old were selected by intentional non-probabilistic sampling. They were subjected to a standardized protocol to measure anthropometric indicators, body composition by electric bioimpedance (EBI), and physical activity was determined by an activity questionnaire. Arterial pressure and glucose tolerance levels were also measured. Analysis included Student's t test to detect differences by sex and the association of physical activity, body composition and other variables by simple linear regression and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Physical activity correlated negatively with percent fat (r = -0.36; p = 0.007) and diastolic (r = -0.36; p = 0.006) and systolic blood pressure (r = -0.32; p = 0.018), and body mass index with post dose glucose (r = 0.31; p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity in this age group may have a favorable impact with respect to the mentioned health indicators.