Anthropometric assessment and muscle strength in elderly people attending the Foundation Grupo Amigos de los Diabéticos in Villa Carlos Paz.

Abstract

Anthropometry is a fundamental and easily applicable tool to evaluate the functional deterioration and the maintenance of the independence of the elderly.

The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate the association between the anthropometric characteristics and muscle strength of the elderly who attend the Foundation Grupo Amigo de los Diabéticos at the Ricardo Pampuri Medical Center, Villa Carlos Paz in 2019.

Cross-sectional descriptive study in elderly (n = 33) who performed physical activity at the Foundation Grupo Amigo de los Diabéticos at the Ricardo Pampuri Medical Center, Villa Carlos Paz between March and May 2019. The anthropometric assessment (Body Mass Index - BMI - according to NSI, normality: 23-27 kg/m2, body fat percentage and manual grip strength) was performed applying international protocols. Descriptive analyses and Pearson correlation were performed to evaluate the association between variables of interest.

The mean body fat percentage, BMI and muscle strength in men were 34.2 ± 2.4%, 28.7 ± 3.8 kg/m2 and 28.6 ± 5 kg; and in women 41.4 ± 6.5% 27.8 ± 4.1 kg / m2 and 22.4 ± 5.2 kg/m2 respectively. Excess weight predominated in both men and women (55.6% and 60.9% respectively). Only 3 people had low weight (BMI <23kg / m2). 66.7% of men and only 22.7% of women presented decreased muscle strength. A moderate negative correlation between age and muscular strength (r = -0.435), and a moderate positive correlation between weight and age (r = 0.486) in women were observed. When analyzing muscle strength and weight, a moderate positive correlation between these variables in the total sample was identified (r = 0.491).

Most of the older adults that participated in the study presented an excess weight.  As age increased muscle strength decreased, mainly in women. Besides, muscle strength and body weight were positively correlated.