Body Composition in Relation to Physical Function in Healthy Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Sweden : A Cross-Sectional Study

• Background: The expression older adult refers to a person who is 65 years and older. This part of the population has increased over the past decades, and is expected to increase further, by almost 70 % over the next 90 years. Muscle mass decreases with increasing age which affects physical function and nutritional status. Age also result in increased risk of diseases that can affect the muscle mass negatively. Measurement of body composition provides information of nutritional status and indications of physical function. Reference values from healthy older adults are required as a comparison when assessing body composition, nutritional status & physical function in different groups of older adults. Objective: To study physical function in relation to body composition in an apparently healthy elderly Swedish population. Methods: One hundred community-dwelling men and women were visited. The study population was part of the project Elderly in the Risk Zone, conducted in Gothenburg with people 80 years and olderwithin the city district Örgryte-Härlanda. Inclusion criteria in this study were those remaining after two years of follow-up, still living within the area in their own home. Exclusion criteria were pacemaker, fractures, amputation, paralysis, dementia and recent or ongoing influenza or calici. The participants answered a few questions and preformed a series of tests to determine physical function and autonomy. Height and weight were measured, as well as body composition using a bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS). The main study Elderly in the Risk Zone was approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Gothenburg (Dnr 650-07). This study was approved as an addition to Elderly Persons in the Risk Zone (T176-12). Results: Mean age was 86.5 years. Men and women performed equally well at the Standing-up-test and there were no difference in BMI between sexes. Men were significantly heavier, taller, stronger, and had more TBW, ECW, ICW and FFM than women. Out of the whole population, nineteen percent had low FFMI, no one with concurrent low FMI, although three men had low FFMI with high FMI. Fifteen percent were underweight according to BMI. Conclusion: The older adults in Örgryte-Härlanda show adequate physical function indicated by FFM and better hand grip strength in comparison to previous studies. Physical function appears to be more associated with body composition than chronological age. Combined measurements of body composition and hand grip strength seem to be efficient methods for assessing physical function in community-dwelling older adults.

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MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Näringslära (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nutrition and Dietetics (hsv//eng)

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