Análise vetorial de bioimpedância e estado nutricional de idosas de acordo com o índice de massa corporal

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to compare and discuss the nutritionalstatus of older women according to different categories of BMI. Additionally, the studywas aimed at introducing the bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) as a tool toassess the nutritional status. Thirty-two women (60 years or older, physically independent,and with moderate level of physical activity) were divided into three groups according toBMI classification: G1 (BMI<23 Kg/m2); G2 (23 28 Kg/m2). The following variables were analyzed as indicators of nutritional status: body massand height to calculate BMI, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waisthipratio (WHR), bioelectrical impedance (BIVA), resting energy expenditure (REE),biochemical markers of nutritional status (glucose, total cholesterol, and fractions, IGF-1,and leptin). The groups were compared using ANOVA and the Hotelling's T2 test for vectoranalysis. The main findings based on vector displacement showed lower reactance andhigher resistance in G1. G3 showed the highest values of CC and leptin, and also lowerREE. Therefore, higher BMI suggested at the same time higher cell mass and higher riskof developing chronic diseases. In turn, lower BMI values suggested reduced fat-free bodymass. These results confirm the search for specific classification of BMI for the elderly andsuggest the BIVA as a viable alternative in physical and nutritional assessment.