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Age‐dependent changes in skeletal muscle mass and visceral fat area in J apanese adults from 40 to 79 years‐of‐age
Author(s) -
Yamada Minoru,
Moriguch Yoko,
Mitani Takahiro,
Aoyama Tomoki,
Arai Hidenori
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geriatrics and gerontology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1447-0594
pISSN - 1444-1586
DOI - 10.1111/ggi.12209
Subject(s) - bioelectrical impedance analysis , medicine , skeletal muscle , sarcopenia , visceral fat , body mass index , obesity , muscle mass , endocrinology , physiology , young adult , fat mass , insulin resistance
Aim The age‐dependent loss of skeletal muscle mass is highly concerning in diverse aging populations. However, age‐dependent changes in muscle mass and the visceral fat area have not been well documented in A sian populations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the age‐dependent changes in skeletal muscle mass and the visceral fat area in J apanese adults from 40 to 79 years‐of‐age. Methods This was a cross‐sectional study. Healthy men ( n = 16 379) and women ( n = 21 660) aged 40–79 years participated in the present study. The skeletal muscle mass and visceral fat area were measured in the study participants by bioelectrical impedance. The muscle mass data were converted into the skeletal muscle mass index ( SMI ) by dividing the weight by the height squared (kg/m 2 ). Results The SMI showed an age‐dependent decrease in both sexes. Between 40 and 79 years, the total SMI decreased by 10.8% in men and by 6.4% in women. The arm SMI decreased by 12.6% in men and 4.1% in women, and the leg SMI decreased by 10.1% in men and by 7.1% in women in the same period. In contrast, the visceral fat area showed an age‐dependent increase in both sexes. The visceral fat area increased by 42.9% in men and by 65.3% in women. The multiple regression analysis showed that the SMI was negatively associated with visceral obesity in both sexes. Conclusions In J apanese adults, sex‐specific changes in skeletal muscle mass are more prominent in the arm than in the leg. Furthermore, the age‐dependent increases in visceral adipose tissue might lead to loss of skeletal muscle mass. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14 (Suppl. 1): 8–14.