Association of age and physical exercise with bodyweight and body composition in Asian Chinese men.
BACKGROUND
The present study sought to examine the association between physical exercise as a lifestyle habit with anthropometric parameters and body composition and aging in men.


METHODS
Intensity of exercise was scored as metabolic equivalent-min/week (MET-min/week) from data of the questionnaire, while anthropometric parameters and body composition were carried out by standard measuring instruments and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner, respectively.


RESULTS
Age was associated with decreases in bodyweight, height, total lean mass and bone mass, but an increase in fat mass. The negative association of lean mass with age was predominantly due to the negative association of lean masses in the legs and arm, while the positive association of fat mass with age was primarily due to the positive association of fat masses in the trunk and abdomen. Exercise of intensity greater than 1000 MET-min/week was significantly associated with higher lean and bone masses and lower fat mass. The increase in lean mass was predominantly in the legs, while the decreases in fat mass were in the trunk and abdomen.


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed that the high intensity of physical exercise, equivalent to greater than 1000 MET-min/week, is required to effect beneficial changes in the body composition. Hence, results from the study support the importance of promoting a lifestyle habit of exercise of sufficient intensity in order to mitigate the increase risks of sarcopenia and obesity and their attendant ill effects on health in men as they age.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National University of Singapore, National University Hospital, Kent Ridge, Singapore 119074, Singapore. vgoh@labiomed.org
Victor H-H
VH
Goh
Terry Y Y
TY
Tong
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D044466:Asian People; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D012846:Singapore; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires