[Adipose tissue contents and body mass index in adults].
The aim of the study was to verify, in epidemiological setting, the hypothesis that at a given body mass index the contents of adipose tissue (AT%) varies with age and is larger in older people.


METHODS
To verify this assumption population-based data were used. Measurements were obtained in 3359 men and women, aged 30-72 and living in two large towns of Upper Silesian Industrial Zone (Poland). During home visits each subject was weighted, their posture was measured and AT% was obtained using bioelectrical impedance method. According to body mass index (BMI in kg/m2) the subjects were divided into eight groups (I - BMI: 20.0-22.5; II - BMI: 22.6-25.0 ... VII - BMI: 35.0-37.5; VIII - BMI: 37.6-40.0). Within each BMI group four classes of ages were identified: 30-39 years; 40-49 years; 50-59 years; 60-72 years.


RESULTS
Mean values of AT% increased with age in each BMI group, both in men and women, and the within-BMI group differences were statistically significant (ANOVA). The effect was consistent, however it was more apparent at low BMI values. For consecutive BMI groups (I-VII) the AT% mean values in extreme age groups (30-39 years and 60-72 years) were as follows: I: 21.3+/-5.9% and 28.1+/-7.1%; Il: 22.5+/-6.4% and 29.7+/-6.7%; III: 25.8+/-6.2% and 32.6+/-6.2%; IV: 28.1+/-6.5% and 35.1+/-5.9%; V: 32.3+/-5.8% and 38.4+/-5.6%; VI: 37.2+/-6.5% and 40.9+/-5.5%; VII: 39.2+/-3.9% and 43.5+/-5.7%; VIII: 40.0+/-7.2% and 46.3+/-3.4%, respectively. In subjects with BMI < 25.1 kg/m2 the difference in AT% between the youngest and the oldest group reached seven points, with a relative difference of 30%.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings confirmed that BMI value is not a perfect surrogate in the assessment of adipose tissue contents and this fact should be taken into account in epidemiological investigations into risk factors of obesity and its health consequences.
Zejda
Jan E
JE
Slaska Akademia Medyczna w Katowicach, Katedra Zdrowia Publicznego. epikat@slam.katowice.pl
Zahorska-Markiewicz
Barbara
B
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012885:Skinfold Thickness