J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2015 Mar;19(1):16-24. 10.4235/jkgs.2015.19.1.16.

The Cutoff Value in Body Fat Percentage for Increased Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Elderly People With Normal Body Weight

• Moon JH
• Kim JS

• KMID: 1817323
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4235/jkgs.2015.19.1.16

Abstract

BACKGROUND
In this study, we identified the cutoff value for the percentage in body fat related to metabolic syndrome in elderly people with normal body mass index (BMI). We also found the correlation between body fat percentage and metabolic syndrome.
METHODS
We used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2008 to 2011. Our subjects were elderly people aged 65 or above, with BMI less than 23.0 kg/m2. We determined the cutoff value for body fat percentage through receiver operating characteristic analysis.
RESULTS
The cutoff value for percentage body fat related to metabolic syndrome was 19.5% for men (sensitivity 68.0%, specificity 62.9%) and 30.0% for women (sensitivity 55.1%, specificity 62.0%). Based on the cutoff value, 43.3% in men and 43.1% in women were classified into the high body fat percentage group. After adjusting for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and exercise status, the men with higher than normal body fat percentage had an odds ratio of 3.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.10-6.22; p<0.001) for developing metabolic syndrome, whereas women had an odds ratio of 1.95 (95% CI, 1.30-2.92; p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
The cutoff value for body fat percentage related to metabolic syndrome was lower in elderly. In the elderly with normal body mass index, high percentage of body fat percentage was associated with a high risk of metabolic syndrome.

Keyword

Obesity; Body fat percentage; Metabolic syndrome; Elderly

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue*
Aged*
Alcohol Drinking
Body Mass Index
Female
Humans
Ideal Body Weight*
Male
Nutrition Surveys
Obesity
Odds Ratio
ROC Curve
Sensitivity and Specificity
Smoke
Smoking
Smoke