Longitudinal changes in fat distribution in the Western Collaborative Group Study: a 23-year follow-up
Carmelli, D.; McElroy, M.R.; Rosenman, R.H.
International Journal of Obesity 15(1): 67-74
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0307-0565 PMID: 2010260 Document Number: 370991
Anthropometric measurements for a total of 1150 surviving subjects 65-86 years old examined twice, 23 years apart, were analysed to determine longitudinal changes on a large battery of anthropometric measures and to examine the persistence of individual differences in the distribution of fat and relative weight. The relation between changes in weight and changes in fat distribution were also studied. Significant changes toward an increase in size with age were observed in younger subjects below 50 years old when first examined. In older subjects (>=50 years old), there was a decrease in stature of 1.2 cm per decade, an overall decrease in weight of 1.6 kg, and no significant changes in trunk skinfold thickness. Longitudinal changes were most pronounced in the redistribution of fat and were also independent of weight changes. The relation between measures of abdominal fat and overall obesity were stronger at follow-up than 23 years earlier.