Annals of Human Biology, July–August 2005; 32(4): 487–497

Anthropometric patterns in middle-agedand older rural Yucatec Maya women

PENELOPE A. MCLORG

Department of Anthropology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA

(Received 25 May 2004; revised 9 December 2004; accepted 14 March 2005)

AbstractBackground: Cross-cultural variation in body composition changes with age has not been fullyinvestigated. Although studies involving anthropometric measurements of older people have beenreported for some non-Westernized populations, little such research has been conducted inLatin America.Aim: This study examines patterns associated with age in anthropometric indicators among arural Maya population in Yucatan, Mexico. Middle and older ages are included to promote acomprehensive age portrayal.Subjects and methods: Stature, weight, and six trunk and limb circumferences were collected from60 women aged 40.8–85.6 years. Several ratios and indices were also derived.Results: Age was strongly and negatively related to all body size and adiposity measures (� from �0.422to �0.603, p < 0.001). Associations between age and ratios/indices of adipose tissue distribution werepositive and not as pronounced ( � from 0.280, p < 0.05 to 0.429, p < 0.001). Age had the largest nega-tive influence on arm circumference, mid-thigh circumference, and weight (R2

¼ 0.36, p < 0.001) andthe greatest positive impact on umbilicus/arm ratio (R2

¼ 0.18, p < 0.001).Conclusions: Three major anthropometric patterns are demonstrated: in successively older women,muscle mass is significantly lower, central adipose tissue predominance is significantly greater,and overall adiposity is significantly lower. In the first two patterns, Maya women conformto findings from Western settings; in the latter pattern, these women diverge from Western results,but corroborate findings from some non-Westernized groups.

Keywords: Ageing, anthropometry, non-Westernized, body composition

Introduction

Body composition exhibits ‘consistent and substantial change’ with age (Crews 1990, p 18).

Among the age-related patterns are a decrease in fat-free mass, especially skeletal

muscle, an increase in overall adiposity, and an accumulation of adipose tissue (AT) at

the middle body. Regarding lean body changes, age-related loss of muscle mass beginning

after early adulthood is commonly reported (Crews 1990, Baumgartner et al. 1995,

Correspondence: Dr Penelope A. McLorg, Department of Anthropology, Mailcode 4502, Southern Illinois University,

Carbondale, IL 62901-4502, USA. E-mail: pmclorg@siu.edu

ISSN 0301–4460 print/ISSN 1464–5033 online/00/000487–11 # 2005 Taylor & Francis

DOI: 10.1080/03014460500129337

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Heyward and Stolarczyk 1996, Gallagher et al. 1997, Shephard 1997). Some researchers

(Kuczmarski 1989, Wang et al. 2001, Hughes et al. 2002) report that attenuation with age

is less notable among women than men. ‘Progressive disuse’ or adaptation to increased

sedentariness has been stated (Buskirk 1985, p 905) as the major reason for skeletal muscle

decrease during ageing, although declines are reported even among relatively active older

populations (Baumgartner et al. 1995, Hughes et al. 2002).

Another age-related change in body composition concerns total body fatness. In numerous

countries, adiposity increases through approximately the sixth decade in males and

the seventh decade in females, followed by declines or stabilization (Kuczmarski 1989,

Baumgartner et al. 1995, WHO Expert Committee on Physical Status 1995, Launer and

Harris 1996, Hughes et al. 2002). Concerning AT distribution, many populations display

a tendency through middle and older ages toward masculinization, or redistribution of

AT from the extremities to the trunk, especially the abdomen (Crews 1990, Shephard 1991,

Garn 1994, WHO Expert Committee on Physical Status 1995, Malina 1996). Metabolic,

hormonal, and neural alterations with age likely influence aspects of age-related modifications

in body composition (Crews 1990, Stini 1994, Gallagher et al. 1997). Although data are

accumulating, the degree of ethnic and cross-cultural variation in body composition changes

with age has not been fully investigated (Crews 1990, 1993, Baumgartner et al. 1995).

Several anthropometric indicators of body composition have been examined. Calf

circumference is reported to be a helpful indicator of fat-free mass (Chumlea and Roche

1988) and ‘the most sensitive measure of muscle mass in the elderly’ (WHO Expert

Committee on Physical Status 1995, p 390). Mid-thigh circumference is also considered

a useful correlate of lean body weight (Borkan et al. 1983). Body mass index (BMI) is

commonly used to indicate overall adiposity (Deurenberg et al. 1991, WHO Expert

Committee on Physical Status 1995, Seidell 1996). Certain anthropometric ratios

and indices are helpful in representing AT distribution. Waist/hip ratio, or the similar

umbilicus circumference/buttocks circumference ratio, reflects abdominal versus gluteal

AT distribution; umbilicus circumference/arm circumference ratio shows central versus

peripheral AT distribution (Mueller et al. 1991). The conicity (C ) index (Valdez

1991) indicates central AT predominance mediolaterally and anteroposteriorly corrected

for stature and weight.

While anthropometric indicators of body composition are collected in a variety of settings,

they are especially valuable in field research because of their ease of use and relatively

low equipment requirements (Lohman et al. 1988). Anthropometric measurements of

older people are reported in some cross-national compilations encompassing field research

from rural areas in developing countries (WHO Expert Committee on Physical Status 1995,

Launer and Harris 1996). Also, anthropometric studies including older individuals have

been conducted among specific rural, non-industrialized populations, for example in

Malawi (Chilima and Ismail 1998), Nigeria (Oguntona and Kuku 2000), and Sarawak,

East Malaysia (Strickland and Ulijaszek 1993). However, relatively little research on anthro-

pometry of older people in non-Westernized settings has been reported for Latin America.

Dangour (2003) analysed anthropometric variables among older members of two

Amerindian groups in interior Guyana. The present study addresses patterns associated

with age in anthropometric indicators among rural Maya women in Yucatan, Mexico.

A broad age span encompassing middle and older ages is used to promote a comprehensive

age portrayal. In addition, a number and variety of measurements are examined.

Other researchers (Wolanski 1998, Beyene and Martin 2001) who have investigated

anthropometric traits of older individuals among Maya groups in Yucatan collected a very

limited number and type of measurements.

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Subjects and methods

Study population

This cross-sectional study was conducted among rural Maya Indians in northern Yucatan,

Mexico, who maintain a relatively rigorous lifestyle centred around horticulture (Webber

1980, Everton 1991). The sample was limited to middle-aged and older females because

collection of some anthropometric data among male Maya was anticipated to be problematic

for a female researcher. Respondents were recruited from 16 rural villages bordering the

city of Merida, Yucatan. To recruit respondents, the researcher and a local research assistant

contacted local residents and municipal officials to ascertain locations of older residents.

If such contacts were not possible, the researcher and assistant visited homes with greater

likelihood of having older inhabitants, such as dwellings that were older-looking or had

several additions. Women were initially screened regarding age and Maya affiliation

(Maya surnames for one or both parents). Individuals were excluded from the sample if they

had chronic illness, were currently ill, or were using medications. Also, women related to

any other participant were excluded. Twelve of the women approached did not participate

due to exclusion criteria or to being too busy or not interested. The first 60 individuals

who provided data, 20 each from three age groups of 40–54, 55–69, and 70–85 years,

comprised the sample. Respondents were aged 40.8–85.6 years (mean 62.3� 13.3 years).

As the sample is not random, it cannot be considered statistically representative of

non-Westernized, rural Maya women. However, efforts were made to obtain a sample

as unbiased as possible. Respondents were recruited from villages varying in location,

population size, and economic specialities; further, most villages yielded respondents

from differing age groups. Moreover, women appeared to represent variation in socio-

economic status, according to the characteristics of their dwellings. Thus, although they

do not constitute a probability sample of Yucatec Maya women, participants can be

regarded as illustrative of healthy, community-living, middle-aged and older rural Maya

females. All research procedures, along with English versions of the screening, consent,

and data gathering forms, were reviewed and approved by the researcher’s university

human subjects committee.

Anthropometric measurements

Anthropometric data collection consisted of stature and weight, as well as six trunk and limb

circumferences indicating size of body segments. Circumferences can be measured with

relatively high reliability and are relevant to fat-free as well as fat body composition (Mueller

et al. 1991, Heyward and Stolarczyk 1996). For all measurements, the researcher followed

standardized guidelines for location and technique (Lohman et al. 1988). Respondents

wore their usual clothing of a thin dress and slip and removed their shoes. Duplicate

measurements were made of all body dimensions, with the mean value used in the analysis.

Stature was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm with a Gneupel�1 portable anthropometer.

Weight was recorded to the nearest 0.1 kg, using a Health o Meter� portable electronic

digital strain gauge scale. Circumferences at the arm (mid-upper), umbilicus, buttocks,

mid-thigh, and calf were recorded to the nearest 0.1 cm, using a Dritz� non-stretching,

1 cm wide fibreglass tape.

Several ratios and indices were derived from the collected measurements. BMI

(weight in kg/stature in m2) was determined as a marker of total body fat. For indication

of AT distribution, umbilicus circumference/arm circumference ratio and umbilicus

Anthropometric patterns in Yucatec Maya women 489

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circumference/buttocks circumference ratio were derived. Also, conicity (C ) index was

calculated using the equation of Valdez (1991):

C index ¼umbilicus circumference ðmÞ

0:109�

weight ðkgÞ

stature ðmÞ

� �1=2

:

Statistical analyses

Data were analysed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) computer programs, and results

were considered significant at �¼ 0.05. One-way analysis of variance was used to assess age

group variation in anthropometric variables. Linear regression was performed to examine

relationships between anthropometric variables and age.

Results

Sample statistics (Table I) indicate a mean BMI in the overweight range (27.9) and

little distinction between abdominal and gluteal circumferences (umbilicus/buttocks ratio

of 1.03). Also, the C index for the sample (1.49) suggests a notable degree of central fat

predominance [index span of 1.00–1.73 (Valdez et al. 1993)]. Also as shown in Table I,

the age groups differ significantly in most anthropometric measurements. In stature, weight,

and circumference measures of size, as well as the BMI indication of total adiposity, the

pattern is that successively older groups have lower values. For indicators of AT distribution,

age group differentiation is not as strong, with only the ratio of umbilicus to arm

circumferences being statistically significant. Further, the direction of age group differences

in AT distribution is opposite that of the body size and fatness measures, as the older groups

have a larger abdominal girth relative to arm girth.

Linear regression results (Table II) corroborate age group associations with anthropo-

metric variables. Age is strongly and negatively related to all body size and adiposity

measures. In contrast, relations between age and ratios or indices of AT distribution are

positive and generally not as strong. According to the standardized regression coefficients

Table I. Anthropometric variables of the age groups.

Sample 40–54 yr 55–69 yr 70–85 yr Age

Anthropometric (n¼60) (n¼ 20) (n¼ 20) (n¼ 20) group

variable Mean�SD Mean�SD Mean�SD Mean�SD F

Stature (cm) 142.2� 5.9 146.4�5.3 140.8�4.8a 139.3�5.2a 10.55***

Weight (kg) 56.7� 14.0 67.4�9.7 56.6�12.7 46.2�10.6 18.22***

Arm circ. (cm) 29.9� 4.5 33.2�3.6 30.1�3.5 26.4�3.5 18.28***

Umbilicus circ. (cm) 101.4� 12.7 108.7�11.3 101.5�10.3 94.2�12.5 8.08***

Mid-thigh circ. (cm) 48.9� 6.8 53.9�4.6 49.0�5.1 43.8�6.5 7.38***

Calf circ. (cm) 32.2� 3.6 34.4�2.5 32.8�3.1 29.2�3.1 16.61***

BMI (kg m�2) 27.9� 6.0 31.6�5.2 28.4�5.2 23.8�5.2 11.40***

Umbilicus/arm ratio 3.42� 0.30 3.29�0.30a 3.39�0.27a 3.58�0.26 5.56**

Umbilicus/buttocks ratio 1.03� 0.05 1.01�0.03 1.04�0.03 1.03�0.06 2.68

C (conicity) index 1.49� 0.07 1.47�0.06 1.48�0.06 1.51�0.09 1.64

aGroup means are not significantly different.**p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.

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(�) and R2, age has the largest negative influence on arm circumference, mid-thigh

circumference, and weight and the greatest positive impact on umbilicus/arm ratio.

Discussion

These Maya women demonstrate three primary age-differentiated anthropometric patterns.

Lean body mass is less in older than in younger women, as illustrated by lower calf

circumference, an indicator of muscle mass. Older women also have less total adiposity, as

represented by lower BMI. Further, compared to younger women, older Maya females show

some evidence of greater central AT distribution, especially in terms of increased abdominal

circumference relative to arm circumference. With explained variance of 0.25 or greater

for six of 10 anthropometric variables, age is a notable contributor to body dimensions

in this sample. In addition, age differentiation in anthropometrics is evident even with the

youngest women.

The overall smaller body size in successively older women, signified by lower stature,

weight, and trunk and limb circumferences, plausibly involves both fat and fat-free

masses. Other work with this sample (McLorg 2003) suggests that stature is highly cor-

related with calf circumference and reflects lean body composition. The lower stature and

calf circumference in older than younger women thus implies lesser fat-free mass. Also

suggesting less lean body mass are the lower mid-thigh girths of older women. In terms

of fat mass, among these Maya women, weight, arm circumference, and BMI are highly

intercorrelated (McLorg 2003); thus, weight and arm girth appear to largely reflect adipose

body composition. Reid et al. (1992) similarly find that arm girth in women is a very strong

positive correlate and predictor of total, extremity, and trunk fat masses. Lower weight,

arm circumference, and BMI in older than younger Maya women therefore suggest less

overall adiposity.

Regarding AT distribution, there is some indication of more AT at the middle body in

older than younger females. In particular, central AT relative to upper limb AT is greater

in older Maya. Waist-to-hip comparisons, measured here by the umbilicus/buttocks

ratio, and central AT prevalence reflected in C index are also positively associated with

age, although less strongly than is the umbilicus/arm ratio. Older women do have smaller

umbilicus circumferences than younger respondents. However, the age divergence is among

the least in this girth measure of all the body size and adiposity variables, as indicated

by the second lowest F-value in age group comparisons (Table I) and lowest �, T-value,

Table II. Linear regressions of anthropometric variables on age.

Anthropometric variable � B SE B T R2

Stature �0.511 �0.226 0.050 �4.52*** 0.26

Weight �0.597 �0.626 0.110 �5.67*** 0.36

Arm circumference �0.603 �0.203 0.035 �5.76*** 0.36

Umbilicus circumference �0.422 �0.403 0.114 �3.55*** 0.18

Mid-thigh circumference �0.603 �0.308 0.053 �5.76*** 0.36

Calf circumference �0.560 �0.152 0.030 �5.15*** 0.31

BMI �0.496 �0.225 0.052 �4.35*** 0.25

Umbilicus/arm ratio 0.429 0.010 0.003 3.62*** 0.18

Umbilicus/buttocks ratio 0.288 0.001 0.000 2.29* 0.08

C index 0.280 0.001 0.000 2.22* 0.08

*p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001.

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and R2 in linear regression (Table II). Thus, older women are less than younger respondents

in abdominal girth but not as much less as in other body dimensions such as stature and

weight. In fact, C index, which takes into account stature and weight in relation to umbilicus

circumference, shows a positive age-associated pattern.

The anthropometric differences among Maya women of varied ages are not easily

explained by lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical activity, that affect body composition.

Other work with this sample (McLorg 2005) demonstrates that the age groups do not differ

significantly in daily frequency of most dietary items. Further, for all the staple foods and

beverages, the age groups are not significantly different. The overall similarity in dietary

items, and thus in sources of energy and nutrients, across age groups suggests that diet is

not likely to be responsible for age distinctions in anthropometrics among this sample of

Maya women. Relatedly, the age groups do not differ significantly in most types of physical

activity performed or in estimated overall quantity of physical activity (McLorg 2005). In

view of the general similarity in activity across age groups, physical activity does not

appear to be critical in explaining anthropometric variation among Maya women of different

ages.

Secular or cohort disparities constitute other possible explanatory factors for anthropo-

metric differentiation among the age groups. For example, the oldest Maya women

may have grown and developed under different socio-economic or cultural conditions

than experienced by younger cohorts, with such conditions affecting their body size

and shape. However, rural Maya culture shows notable conservatism and homogeneity

of lifeways (Webber 1980, Everton 1991). Such characteristics, along with the inter-

generational lifestyle similarity in dietary and activity habits shown for this sample

(McLorg 2005), do not support the importance of cohort effects in age differentiation in

anthropometry.

Another explanation for age differences relates to sampling and age group variability.

As mentioned in the Study population section, efforts to increase representativeness in this

non-probability sample were made, such that a range of socio-economic and geographic

attributes was encompassed. Thus, variability in living conditions that exists even within

this fairly homogeneous population, and which might affect anthropometric measures,

was taken into account. In addition, women comprising the varied age groups demonstrate

physical variation. Specifically, coefficients of variation (not shown), an indicator of

variability, demonstrate that each age group has acceptable and comparable variability in

the different anthropometric measures and that a given age group was not somehow

restricted to, for example, small or large women. Artefacts of sampling therefore do not

appear to account for age group differentiation in anthropometric variables.

As a non-Westernized, rural group, these Maya villagers diverge from Western patterns in

lifestyle that are relevant to examinations of body morphology. For example, Maya females

contrast with sedentary Westernized populations (Corruccini and Kaul 1983, Pollard 1997,

Shephard 1997) in their lack of reliance on machinery and mechanized transportation and

in their customary and rigorous physical labour (Webber 1980, Beyene and Martin 2001,

McLorg 2005). Further, older as well as younger Maya women are physically active,

while Westernized groups characteristically reduce physical activity with age (Pollard

1997, Shephard 1997). Despite these lifestyle differences, Maya females and Westernized

populations share the major pattern of lower skeletal muscle mass in older than younger

individuals (Kuczmarski 1989, Crews 1990, Gallagher et al. 1997). Such findings suggest

that less muscle tissue in older subjects may not be due to a disuse phenomenon. This obser-

vation is corroborated by age-associated decline in muscle mass even among relatively active

Western groups (Baumgartner et al. 1995, Hughes et al. 2002).

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Maya women also share with Western populations the anthropometric pattern of greater

central adiposity in older than younger individuals. This finding in another human group

supports the notion that greater centralization of AT in older subjects is widespread

among humans (Crews 1990, Shephard 1991, Garn 1994, WHO Expert Committee on

Physical Status 1995, Malina 1996). However, Maya females contrast with Westernized

females in overall presence of fat. Maya women show less adiposity, as reflected in BMI

as well as weight and arm circumference, in successively older groups starting with

middle-aged respondents, while Western women as late as early old age have higher total

body fat than younger females (Kuczmarski 1989, Baumgartner et al. 1995, WHO Expert

Committee on Physical Status 1995, Launer and Harris 1996, Hughes et al. 2002).

Other studies have involved anthropometric measurements of older people in non-

Westernized areas. In some of this research, data are not collected from middle-aged

individuals, so that a full representation of possible age-associated differences is hampered.

Oguntona and Kuku (2000) include data from rural south-western Nigeria, but cover an age

range of only 65–78 years and do not discuss age differentiation. Chilima and Ismail (1998)

report no significant differences among age groups in several anthropometric measurements

in older individuals from rural Malawi. However, respondents were divided into only

two large age groupings (55–69 years and � 70 years), which may have obscured possible

significant differences. Strickland and Ulijaszek (1993) present data from individuals aged

18–77 in rural Sarawak, East Malaysia. Similar to the present study, successively older

women beginning with age 40 demonstrate significantly lower fat and fat-free masses.

AT distribution was not measured.

Concerning research in Latin America, Launer and Harris (1996) report data from rural

Guatemala showing decreases in BMI in 10-year age groups from 60 to 89; tests of signifi-

cance were not provided. Dangour (2003) presents findings from two Amerindian groups

inhabiting the remote interior of Guyana. Both populations display lower BMI in women

older than 50. Neither muscle mass nor AT distribution was assessed in this study.

Dangour’s (2003) work corroborates the observation in Strickland and Ulijaszek (1993)

as well as the current research that lower adiposity appears in younger non-Westernized

than Westernized women.

Regarding studies that include anthropometric measurements among older Maya women

in Yucatan, Beyene and Martin (2001) indicate no significant relationship between age and

stature among women aged 18–80 years; this finding differs from that of the present research

as well as other similar studies. Using data from skinfolds, Wolanski (1998) reports that

subcutaneous AT peaks between 45 and 55 years followed by decline among mixed Maya

respondents aged 2–80 years in Merida and Progreso. The lower fatness in individuals

younger than early old age concurs with the overall adiposity pattern shown in the current

research. While Wolanski (1998) and Beyene and Martin (2001), as well as the present

study, examine a broad age span including middle and older ages, the current research

provides data on a more varied set of anthropometric variables.

To conclude, this study finds that in a sample of rural middle-aged and older Yucatec

Maya women, muscle mass is significantly lower in successively older respondents whereas

central AT predominance is greater. Also, overall adiposity is significantly lower in succes-

sively older women, beginning with the middle-aged women. In the first two patterns,

Maya women largely conform to the body of research from Western settings. In the latter

pattern, these women diverge from Western findings, but corroborate results from some

non-Western groups. Convergences and differences between populations with disparate

and similar lifestyles help clarify the extent to which age variation in body composition is

linked to environmental factors. This study attempts to add to the literature on comparative

Anthropometric patterns in Yucatec Maya women 493

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ageing by providing anthropometric data from an additional non-Westernized group.

Such information from human groups living in varying conditions is essential for under-

standing of the mechanisms and aetiology of possible age-associated alterations in body

composition.

Notes

1. This article includes a word that is or is asserted to be a proprietary term or trade mark.

Its inclusion does not imply it has acquired for legal purposes a non-proprietary or

general significance, nor is any other judgement implied concerning its legal status.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants from Sigma Xi and from the Graduate School,

Women’s Studies, and Department of Anthropology at Southern Illinois University.

I extend my gratitude to Ms Paolina Bulnes de Puerto for research assistance and to the

Maya women who participated in this research.

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Resume. Arriere-plan: On n’a pas completement explore les variations interculturelles des

changements de la composition corporelle. Bien que des etudes sur les mensurations

anthropometriques des personnes agees aient ete effectuees dans des populations non

occidentales, peu de recherches ont ete conduites en Amerique latine.

But: Cette etude examine les associations avec l’age des indicateurs anthropometriques dans

une population rurale Maya du Yucatan au Mexique. Les ages moyen et plus avance sont

etudies de maniere a permettre une description coherente de l’age.

Sujets et methodes. La stature, le poids et six circonferences du tronc et des membres ont

ete collectes chez 60 femmes agees de 40,8 a 85,6 ans. Plusieurs indices et rapports en ont

ete extraits.

Resultats: L’age est associe fortement et negativement a toutes les mesures de format et

d’adiposite (� de �0.422 a �0.603, p < 0,001). Les associations entre l’age et les rapports/

indices de la distribution du tissu adipeux sont positifs et non aussi prononces (� de 0,280,

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p < 0,05 – 0,429, p < 0,001). L’age a l’influence negative la plus grande sur la circonference

du bras, la circonference a mi-cuisse et le poids (R2¼ 0,36, p < 0,001) et l’impact positif le

plus grand sur le rapport ombilic/bras (R2¼ 0,18, p < 0,001).

Conclusions: Trois changements anthropometriques sont demontres : chez les femmes

devenant plus agees la masse musculaire est significativement plus faible, la predominance

du tissu adipeux central est plus elevee et l’adiposite generale est significativement plus

basse. Les femmes Maya sont conformes aux resultats trouves dans des populations

occidentales pour les deux premiers changements,alors qu’elles en divergent pour le dernier

mais tout en corroborant des resultats obtenus dans quelques groupes non occidentaux.

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Die kulturelle Variation altersbedingter

Veranderungen der Korperzusammensetzung ist bisher nicht gut untersucht worden.

Obgleich Studien betreffend anthropometrische Messungen alterer Leute aus einigen nicht-

verwestlichten Populationen veroffentlicht worden sind, sind nur wenige derartiger

Untersuchungen in Lateinamerika durchgefuhrt worden.

Ziel: Diese Studie untersucht altersbedingte Muster von anthropometrischen Kennzeichen

in einer landlichen Maya-Population aus Yucatan, Mexiko. Mittlere und altere

Altersgruppen sind eingeschlossen, um ein umfassendes Bild der Altersabhangigkeit zu

vermitteln.

Probanden und Methoden: Korperhohe, Gewicht und sechs Umfangsmaße von Rumpf und

Extremitaten wurden bei 60 Frauen im Alter von 40,8 bis 85,6 Jahren erhoben. Ferner

wurden zahlreiche Proportionsmaße und Indizes entwickelt.

Ergebnisse: Alter korrelierte stark und negativ mit allen Korpermaßen und den Messungen

zur Bestimmung der Fettleibigkeit (� von �0,422 bis �0,603, p < 0,001). Die Beziehungen

zwischen Alter und den Proportionsmaßen, bzw. Indizes fur die Verteilung des Fettgewebes

waren positiv und weniger stark ausgepragt (� von 0,280, p < 0,05 bis 0,429, p < 0,001).

Alter hatte den starksten negativen Einfluss auf den Armumfang, den Umfang des mittleren

Oberschenkels und Gewicht (R2¼ 0,36, p < 0,001) und den großten positiven Einfluss auf

das Proportionsmaß Nabel/Arm (R2¼ 0,18, p < 0,001).

Zusammenfassung: Es werden drei wesentliche anthropometrische Muster gezeigt: bei

zunehmend alter werdenden Frauen nimmt die Muskelmasse signifikant ab, das

Vorherrschen von zentralem Fettgewebe wird signifikant großer, und die Adipositas

insgesamt wird signifikant niedriger. Hinsichtlich der ersten beiden Muster stimmen

Mayafrauen mit westlichen uberein; hinsichtlich des letzteren Musters aber unterscheiden

sich diese Frauen von westlichen, und entsprechen einigen nicht-verwestlichten Gruppen.

Resumen. Antecedentes: La variacion intercultural de los cambios en la composicion

corporal con la edad no se ha investigado completamente. Aunque se han llevado a cabo

estudios que incluyen medidas antropometricas de ancianos en algunas poblaciones no

occidentalizadas, se han realizado pocas investigaciones de este tipo en Latinoamerica.

Objetivos: Este estudio examina los patrones asociados con la edad en indicadores

antropometricos de una poblacion rural Maya de Yucatan, Mexico. Se han incluido

edades medias y avanzadas para procurar una descripcion mas comprensiva de la edad.

Sujetos y metodos: Se recogieron datos sobre la estatura, el peso y seis perımetros del tronco y

las extremidades, en 60 mujeres con edades comprendidas entre 40,8 y 85,6 anos.

Asimismo, se derivaron varios cocientes e ındices.

Resultados: La edad estaba negativa y fuertemente relacionada con todas las medidas de

tamano corporal y de adiposidad (b entre �0,422 y �0,603, p < 0,001). Las asociaciones

entre la edad y los cocientes/ındices de distribucion del tejido adiposo fueron positivas y no

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tan elevadas (b entre 0,280, p < 0,05 y 0,429, p < 0,001). La edad tuvo la mayor influencia

negativa sobre el perUmetro del brazo, muslo medio y sobre el peso (R2¼ 0,36, p < 0,001),

y el mayor impacto positivo sobre el cociente de los perımetros umbilical/brazo (R2¼ 0,18,

p < 0,001).

Conclusiones: Se demuestra la existencia de tres patrones antropometricos principales:

conforme aumenta la edad en las mujeres, la masa muscular es significativamente mas baja,

el predominio del tejido adiposo central es significativamente mayor, y la adiposidad total es

significativamente menor. En los dos primeros patrones, las mujeres Maya confirman los

hallazgos de los paıses occidentales; en el ultimo patron, estas mujeres difieren de los

resultados occidentales, pero corroboran los de algunos grupos no occidentalizados.

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