Probl Hig Epidemiol 2015, 96(2): 517-522pl

Assessment of body composition, total fatness and fatty tissue distribution in women during process of aging

Renata Janiszewska ^1,2/, Renata Orawiec ^1,3/, Stanisław Nowak ^1,3/

1/ Zakład Kultury Fizycznej, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu i Kultury Fizycznej, Uniwersytet Technologiczno-Humanistyczny im. Kazimierza Pułaskiego w Radomiu
2/ Zakład Pielęgniarstwa, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu i Kultury Fizycznej, Uniwersytet Technologiczno-Humanistyczny im. Kazimierza Pułaskiego w Radomiu
3/ Zakład Fizjoterapii, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu i Kultury Fizycznej, Uniwersytet Technologiczno-Humanistyczny im. Kazimierza Pułaskiego w Radomiu

Summary
Introductions. The adverse changes in the aging process include abnormalities in body composition consisting of a progressive reduction of lean body mass with the simultaneous increase in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue content. These adverse effects lead to the occurrence of visceral obesity contributing to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome which is one of the most significant risk factors in cardiovascular diseases.
Aim. To establish differences of body composition, including fat-free body mass, the level of fatty tissue mass and distribution of fat tissue in women during the process of aging in comparison with young women.
Material & Method. The body composition was assessed by means of the bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) using the body composition analyser IOI 353. Body height and mass, fat-free body mass, fatty tissue mass, soft tissue mass, content of minerals, protein, total water, percentage content of fatty tissue, area of central obesity, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), BMI, segmental analysis of body composition and basic metabolism were evaluated.
Results. The results of the study showed that during the period of aging there were adverse changes in the composition of body mass, leading to an excessive accumulation of body fat and subcutaneous and visceral obesity.
Conclusions. Reduced mobility observed in women during menopause and a significant decrease in metabolic rate while maintaining current eating habits contribute to the prevalence of obesity of visceral type, which in turn increases the risk of developing the metabolic syndrome with all its consequences.

Key words:  women, body composition, period of aging