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Age-related differences in fat-free mass, skeletal muscle, body cell mass and fat mass between 18 and 94 years

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 55, pages 663–672 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To determine (1) lean and fat body compartments, reflected by fat-free mass (FFM), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM), body cell mass (BCM), total body potassium (TBK), fat mass and percentage fat mass, and their differences between age groups in healthy, physically active subjects from 18 to 94 y of age; and (2) if the rate of decrease in any one of the parameters by age might be accelerated compared to others.

Methods: A total of 433 healthy ambulatory Caucasians (253 men and 180 women) aged 18–94 y were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and whole body scintillation counter (TBK counter) using a large sodium iodide crystal (203 mm diameter).

Results: The ASMM change (−16.4 and −12.3% in men and women, respectively) in >75 y-old compared to 18 to 34-y-old subjects was greater than the FFM change (−11.8 and −9.7% in men and women, respectively) and this suggests that skeletal muscle mass decrease in older subjects was proportionally greater than non-skeletal muscle mass. BCM (−25.1 and −23.2% in men and women, respectively) and TBK differences were greater than the differences in FFM or ASMM suggesting altered composition of FFM in older subjects. Women had lower peak FFM, ASMM, BCM and TBK than men.

Conclusions: The decline in FFM, ASMM, BCM and TBK is accelerated in men and women after 60 y of age and FFM, ASMM, BCM and TBK are significantly lower than in younger subjects. Fat mass continued to increase until around 75 y.

Sponsorship: Foundation Nutrition 2000Plus, Geneva, Switzerland.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2001) 55, 663–672

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Foundation Nutrition 2000Plus for its financial support. We are indebted to Giulio Conicella, Luc Terraneo and Sophie Namy for technical assistance.

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Author notes

  1. UG Kyle, L Genton, D Hans, L Karsegard, DO Slosman and C Pichard: Contributors: UGK was mainly responsible for the original idea, and provided the final data collection, executed the mathematical and statistical analysis, participated in designing the study and in the writing of the paper. LG and LK organized and coordinated the data collection of the research project, contributed to interpreting the data and the writing of the paper. DH and DOS participated in designing the study, analyzing the data and writing the paper. CP participated in developing the original idea, designing the study, analyzing the data and writing the paper. He also directed protocol execution, adherence and funding.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Nutrition, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland

    UG Kyle, L Genton, L Karsegard & C Pichard

  2. Nuclear Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland

    D Hans & DO Slosman

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  1. UG Kyle
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Correspondence to C Pichard.

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Kyle, U., Genton, L., Hans, D. et al. Age-related differences in fat-free mass, skeletal muscle, body cell mass and fat mass between 18 and 94 years. Eur J Clin Nutr 55, 663–672 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601198

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