Resumen

HERNANDEZ, Rosa  y  DE VALERA, Yolanda H. Selección del predictor mas adecuado para estimar la contextura en un grupo de adultos mayores institucionalizados y de vida libre en Venezuela. (Estudio preliminar). ALAN [online]. 2003, vol.53, n.3, pp.251-257. ISSN 0004-0622.

SUMMARY. Selection of the more adequate prediction index to estimate the frame size in a group of institucionalized and free living elderly in Venezuela (Preliminary study). The objective of the study was to identify an easy to measure indicator of body frame size to allow refinement of anthropometric nutritional evaluation. We studied body dimensions and frame indices related to height, which migth be potential frame size predictors in the elderly. In 307 subjects (163 women, 144 men) aged 60-99 years of whom 187 were institutionalized and 120 free-living outpatients, we measured weigth, height, mid-arm circumference; triceps, subscapular, mid-thigh and calf skinfolds; elbow, wrist, femur and biacromial widths. Body mass index, upper arm muscle area, upper arm fat area, fat percentage, sum of skinfolds and frame indices were calculated. Results were calculated in function of age, sex and life-style. Biacromial breadth, biacromial/height index, wrist breadth and wrist/height index gave variable correlations with indices of body mass and body fat. Femur breadth and femur/height index were significantly correlated with body fat indices. Elbow breadth, humerus/height index were not correlated to body fat indices, but were significantly correlated with weight, height and fat free mass. Elbow breadth and humerus/heigth indez fulfilled most of the criteria of good predictors of body frame size in the group pf elderly studied.

Palabras clave : Elderly; anthropometry; contexture; nutritinal evaluation.