Association of Body Fat Distribution Indices and Dietary Adequacy Ratio in (Body Shape Index and Waist-to-Height Ratio) in Free-Living Elderly in Tehran City, 2018–2019

The aim of the present study was to assess associations between nutrient adequacy ratio and mean adequacy ratio with body shape index and waist-to-height ratio in free-living elderly in Tehran city, Iran.

In this cross-sectional study, 583 elderly people (304 women and 279 men) aged 60–80 years from Tehran were selected using systematic cluster sampling method. Demographic questionnaire, activity of daily living, instrumental activity of daily living and two 24-h dietary recalls were used to assess general characteristics, physical function and dietary intakes of the participants, respectively. Nutrient adequacy ratio of energy, protein and 11 micronutrients and their means were calculated. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight and waist circumference were carried out using standard methods and body shape index and waist-to-height ratio were calculated.

The median (interquartile) of body shape index was 0.082 (0.086–0.079) and the mean ±standard deviation of WHtR07 was 0.06 ±0.07. The mean waist-to-height ratio of females was higher than that of males and the median body shape index  of females was lower than that of males. After adjusting for the effects of all confounders, associations of mean adequacy ratio with waist-to-height ratio and body shape index were not significant. Nutrient adequacy ratios of energy and protein were directly linked to waist-to-height ratio and body shape index respectively and nutrient adequacy ratio of thiamine was inversely linked to body shape index.

: No associations were detected between the adequacy of dietary intake and the two indicators of body fat distribution status after controlling for the confounding factors (lifestyle, demographic and socioeconomic factors).