title: Measurement of body composition in the elderly: dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, underwater weighing, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and anthropometry.
abstract: Body composition of both younger and older subjects was estimated using several different methods in order to evaluate their use with elderly subjects. Estimates were obtained by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, underwater weighing, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and skinfold measurement in 48 younger subjects (26-40 years) and 44 older subjects (65-85 years). In older men and women the underwater weighing percent fat estimates were significantly higher than all other methods. Bone mineral explained a significant proportion of the variance in the difference between the dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and underwater weighing estimates of percent fat (R2 = 0.442-0.627). Because of its insensitivity to variability in bone mineral, we recommend that the underwater weighing method be not used to estimate percent fat in older men and women. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry provides an alternative which accounts for the age-related decrease in bone mineral density.
authors.affiliation: Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Portland State University, OR 97207-0751.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Brodowicz
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mansfield
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: McClung
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Althoff
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male