Body Mass Index and Fat Content in Women with Different Somatotypes in the North

Abstract

The aim of the study was to detect the age-related variability of the body mass index and the variability of fat deposition in a random sample of women belonging to different constitutional groups and somatotypes, permanent residents of the Republic of Karelia.Material and methods. A comprehensive somatometric examination of women (n=905) was performed applying classical technique and a standardized set of instruments. The body mass index and its component composition were calculated using anthropometric formulas. I. B. Galanta – B.A. Nikityuk – V.P. Chtetsova technique was used to determine somatotype of the women. The results obtained were statistically processed using STATISTICA 6.0 program.Results. The analysis demonstrated a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in women of the Republic of Karelia in the second mature and old age periods, which was manifested by the maximum values of the thickness of skin and fat folds, absolute and relative fat mass. Regardless of age, the megalosomal constitutional type was found with a high frequency, with an age-related increase in the proportion of people with the euriplastic somatotype. There were revealed somatotypological differences in the age dynamics of the body mass index and the content of the fat component in women. The values of the body mass index and fat component exceeding the norm were determined in the representatives of euriplastic and pyknic somatotypes over several age periods.Conclusion. The results obtained can be used to analyze the level of physical development of the population, these findings should be taken into account when comprehensively assessing health, risk factors for metabolic diseases for their timely detection, correcting the diet, mode of nutrition, physical activity and providing population with preventive information.