Variations in body fat mass in normal-weight subjects

Biljana, Srdić, Edita, Stokić, Siniša, Babović, Agneza, Polzović, Živko, Vlaškalić

Glasnik Antropološkog društva Jugoslavije

41

429

437

0351-1480

http://scindeks.ceon.rs/article.aspx?query=ISSID%26and%264895&page=0&sor...

2006-2021/11/05/11:01:25

The aim of this study was to assess body fat mass (BF%) in our population of normal-weight subjects (according to body mass index, BMI) and to examine gender and age dependence of BF% changes. Study group consisted of 437 subjects of both genders, aged between 18 and 78 years, with BMI values between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2. BF% was assessed using bioelectrical impedance. Our results showed great variations of BF% in normal-weight subjects with outstanding differences between genders and different age groups. Mean BF% value was 17.64±5.33% in males, and 26.27±5.04% in females. Within the same BMI interval females had 8.6% greater BF% and the difference increased with increasing of BMI values. BMI values correlated significantly with BF% while relationship was stronger in females. Although we didn't find statistically significant correlation between BF% and aging, it was evident that BF% increases with aging in both genders but in males it decreases significantly after the age of 60. Postmenopausal females also had significantly higher BF% comparing to premenopausal females (28.39±5.07% vs. 25.90+4, 96%). According to cut-off values given by manufacturer 17.74% males and even 64.73% females had increased BF%. Thus, further investigations have to evaluate health risk and to define population specific body fat percentage references.