Variation in Body Composition Components Across Different Age Groups and Proposal of Age-Specific Normative Tables: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: Utilizing a significative sample, this study aimed to analyze body composition components in different age groups and to develop age-specific normative tables for individuals in southern Brazil. Methods: This observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study evaluated 8556 individuals of both sexes (54% females) aged 18&ndash:49. The hypotheses of the present study are related to declining fat-free mass (FFM), lean mass (LM), and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and increasing fat mass (FM) and body fat percentage (BFP) during the aging process. Data were collected through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and stratified by age (18&ndash:29, 30&ndash:39, and 40&ndash:49 years), sex, and body mass index (BMI) classifications (normal weight, overweight, grade I, and grade II obesity). Following the comparison, body composition components were presented in the 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 97th percentiles. Results: This study&rsquo:s main findings indicated that FM and BFP increased with age in both sexes. Among overweight and obese individuals, elevated BFP was particularly high in obese females aged 40&ndash:49 years and in normal and overweight males. FFM, LM, and SMM were generally lower in the 40&ndash:49-year-old group, although obese females over 40 presented higher FFM and LM values. In contrast, males presented lower FFM and LM values but higher values among individuals with higher BMI. SMM was lower in overweight individuals over 40, likely reflecting muscle mass loss associated with aging. Conclusions: Based on these results, lifestyle interventions that combine nutrition and physical exercise may be recommended to mitigate these effects of aging.