journal articles
CHANGES IN ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS AND BODY MASS INDEX AMONG CHILEAN ELDERLY
C.B. Yu, L. Villarroel, P.P. Marín
J Aging Res Clin Practice 2013;2(4):346-350
Objectives: Compare the anthropometric measurements, body mass index (BMI), and nutritional status of the Chilean Elderly from the years 2003 and 2010, and see if there are differences between age groups and by sex. Design, settings, and participants: Data was obtained from the Chilean National Health Survey (ChNHS), of the years 2003 and 2010. These are two cross-sectional studies. The weight, height, abdominal circumference, and BMI were analyzed for a representative sample of Chileans. Main Outcome Measures: Anthropometric measurements, BMI, and the prevalence of underweight, normal, overweight, and obese population of the elderly of Chile, grouped by age (65-74 years, and ≥ 75 years) and sex, when comparing elderly within both periods, as well as comparing them to the rest of the population. Conclusion: There were significant changes in the weight, abdominal circumference, and BMI in the elderly since the years 2003 and 2010. The weight and height of those ≥ 75 years tends to be significantly lower than the rest of the population. We can also appreciate a noticeable increase in the abdominal circumference from the younger adults to those ≥ 65 years. Through the years, there is an increasing trend towards being overweight and obese. Also, the highest prevalence of underweight individuals was seen in those older than 75 years, and within this group, it was mainly composed by women.