Anthropometric Changes Over Five Years in Older Adults and
its Association with Demographic Characteristics, Muscle
Strength and Comorbid Disorders: A Longitudinal PopulationBased Study

1Assistant Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical
Sciences, Babol, Iran
2 Medical Student, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
3 Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences,
Babol, Iran

Abstract

Background and purpose: Anthropometric measures are of great importance in evaluating
older adult health. This study was carried out to examine five-year changes in anthropometric indices of older
adults and its association with demographic characteristics, muscle strength, and comorbid disorders.
Materials and methods: This cohort study was conducted during 2011-2016 in people aged 60
years and over participating in the Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP). The elderly whose
anthropometric characteristics were complete in the data bank of AHAP were included in the research by
census. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and anthropometric measures, including height,
weight, body mass index, neck, waist and hip circumferences, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-toheight ratio (WHtR) were assessed, and five-year changes were calculated.
Results: Among 897 people, significant reductions were seen in height, neck, waist, and hip
circumferences, WHtR (P<0.001), and WHR (P=0.031). Change in weight loss was not statistically
significant (P=0.152) and body mass index increased (P<0.001). Reductions in height, neck, waist and hip
circumferences, and decrease in WHtR were found to be significantly different between women and men
(P<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between the number of comorbidities and fiveyear changes of height (r=0.104, P=0.002) and hip circumference (r=0.095, P=0.005), and a negative
correlation between strength of the arm (r=-0.341, P<0.001) and quadriceps (r=-0.324, P<0.001) muscles
and comorbidities.
Conclusion: This study represented a pattern of significant reduction in height, neck, waist, and
hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio, and increase in body mass index in older
adults, over five years. Furthermore, significant correlations between comorbid disorders and changes in
height and hip circumference, and muscle strength were shown.
Keywords: anthropometry, aging, demographic factors, muscle strength