Age-dependent changes in body fat are often observed in normal population. The recent development of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bioelectrical impedance method made it possible to analyze body fat mass more precisely and easily. To evaluate the age-related changing pattern of body fat mass of the Korean adult population, body fat mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DEXA) and bioelectrical impedance method(BIA) in groups of various age groups of healthy volunteers(130 men and 186 women) and patients with NIDDM(25 men and 45 women).
The mean body fat percent of female group of third decade was 28.67 ± 7.68% and the percent was increased gradually to the peak value of 33.62 ± 7.32% at the age group of sixth decade and tend to decrease in the groups after the age over 60. The mean body fat percent of male was less than that of female and it revealed no significant relationship between age and body fat percent. Multiple regression analysis of fat percent on age, height, and weight in each sex were computed. The correlation between body fat percent and body weight was higher in female group(r = 0.75), but the correlation between body fat percent and height was lower. The body fat percent of patients with diabetes gradually increased with age. The comparison of body fat percent measured by DEXA and BIA showed higher significant correlation between two analytic methods.

Keywords: Body fat, Dexa, BIA