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Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry body composition and aging in a population-based older cohort

International Journal of Obesity volume 31, pages 279–284 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

The aims of this cross-sectional study were (1) to examine the effect of age on body composition in older adults using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and (2) to evaluate the agreement of DXA with standard indirect anthropometric measures (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)).

Research methods and procedures:

A population-based sample of 731 adults aged between 50 and 79 years underwent measurement of BMI, waist circumference, WHR, DXA total body fat mass, DXA % total body fat, DXA % trunk fat and DXA lean body mass. Linear regression was used to test for trend in measures of body composition between age categories in men and women. Partial correlations and Bland–Altman analysis were used to examine the agreement of DXA measures with indirect measures.

Results:

DXA lean body mass decreased significantly with increasing age in both sexes (P<0.05). In males, BMI (P=0.01) and body weight (P<0.01) decreased with age, and in females, WHR (P=0.05), DXA % total fat (P=0.02) and DXA % trunk fat (P=0.05) increased with age. There was good agreement between DXA measures of fatness and indirect anthropometric measures, except for WHR, which showed greater variability in its comparisons with DXA.

Conclusion:

Using the highly sensitive and direct DXA method of measuring body composition, a decline in lean body mass and an increase in adiposity was observed with aging. Except for WHR, indirect anthropometric measures generally showed high levels of agreement with DXA fat measures in this older cohort.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Michael Schmidt for his helpful comments towards the preparation of the manuscript. This work was supported by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Tasmanian Community Fund, Masonic Centenary Medical Research Foundation, Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation and Arthritis Foundation of Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

    K A Shaw, V K Srikanth, L Blizzard & A J Venn

  2. Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia

    V K Srikanth

  3. Workcover New South Wales, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

    J L Fryer

  4. Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    T Dwyer

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  1. K A Shaw
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Correspondence to K A Shaw.

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Shaw, K., Srikanth, V., Fryer, J. et al. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry body composition and aging in a population-based older cohort. Int J Obes 31, 279–284 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803417

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