Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess body composition, physical activity level (PAL), basal metabolic rate (BMR), and daily energy expenditure (DEE) and to examine associations between PAL and body composition, BMR, and DEE of elderly in Busan.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 226 elderly aged 65-93 years. Body composition was measured by Inbody 720. PAL was calculated by daily activity diary. BMR was calculated by Harris-Benedict (H-B) formula, Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) formula, and Inbody 720 measurement. DEE was calculated by H-B formula, DRI formula, Inbody 720 measurement, and estimated energy requirements (EER) formula.
Results:The mean fat free mass (FFM) in elderly men was significantly higher than that in elderly women (p<0.001). The mean percent body fat and fat mass (FM) in elderly women were significantly greater than those in elderly men (p<0.001, p<0.001). The mean PAL in elderly men (1.59) was significantly higher than that in elderly women (1.53) (p<0.001). The mean DEEs calculated by 3 methods except for H-B formula in elderly men were higher than EER for elderly men (2000kcal). The mean DEEs calculated by 4 different methods in elderly women were higher than EER for elderly women (1600kcal). Age showed significantly negative correlations with height (p<0.001, p<0.001), FFM (p<0.001, p<0.001), BMRs calculated by H-B formula (p<0.001, p<0.001), DRI formula (p<0.001, p<0.001) and Inbody 720 measurement (p<0.05 p<0.01) and DEEs calculated by H-B formula (p<0.001, p<0.001), DRI formula (p<0.001, p<0.001), Inbody 720 measurement (p<0.05, p<0.05), and EER formula (p<0.001, p<0.001) in elderly men and elderly women. PAL showed significantly positive correlations with FFM (p<0.05), BMR by Inbody 720 measurement (p<0.05) in elderly men and negative correlations with FM (p<0.05) in elderly women.Conclusions: Based on the results, PAL was associated with greater FFM in elderly men and lesser FM in elderly women. Therefore, nutritional education to increase physical activity for health promotion in late life is needed in the elderly.
RESEARCH ARTICLE
