Anthropometric indicators and body composition as determinants of healthy ageing in older adults in a rural area of Ecuador

Edison Gustavo Moyano Brito; Wilson Andres Lupercio Maza; Aniela Estefania Buele Largo; Isabel Cristina Mesa Cano; Dolores Amparito Rodríguez Sánchez

doi:10.4238/0fq84r94

Anthropometric indicators and body composition as determinants of healthy ageing in older adults in a rural area of Ecuador

Edison Gustavo Moyano Brito (First Author)
, Wilson Andres Lupercio Maza
, Aniela Estefania Buele Largo
, Isabel Cristina Mesa Cano
, Dolores Amparito Rodríguez Sánchez (Last Author)

Universidad de Cuenca

Universidad Católica de Cuenca

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Premature biological aging manifests as physiological deterioration exceeding chronological age, substantially increasing morbidity risk, particularly in rural settings where body composition is a critical determinant of functional health. This research aimed to analyze the association between anthropometric
indicators, body composition, and healthy aging in older adults from a rural Ecuadorian parish. Aquantitative, correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted with 313 participants. Weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), and body compartments (adipose and muscle tissue) were evaluated using medical - grade electrical bioimpedance. Findings revealed a 2.91-year gap between biological age (77.21 years) and chronological age (74.30 years), evidencing accelerated aging. A pattern of sarcopenic obesity predominated (mean BMI: 27.64; body fat: 39.67%; muscle mass: 20.50 kg). Dispersion analysis
demonstrated that BMI increases correspond mainly to adipose tissue (R2=0.211) rather than muscle reserve (R2=0.033), indicating critical muscle frailty. It is concluded that BMI alone is insufficient to predict functional health, and the imbalance between adiposity and musculature compromises the physical
autonomy of this population.

Original language	English
Article number	4
Pages (from-to)	1-12
Number of pages	12
Journal	Genetics and Molecular Research
Volume	24
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4238/0fq84r94
State	Published - 10 Dec 2025

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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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title = "Anthropometric indicators and body composition as determinants of healthy ageing in older adults in a rural area of Ecuador",

abstract = "Premature biological aging manifests as physiological deterioration exceeding chronological age, substantially increasing morbidity risk, particularly in rural settings where body composition is a critical determinant of functional health. This research aimed to analyze the association between anthropometric indicators, body composition, and healthy aging in older adults from a rural Ecuadorian parish. Aquantitative, correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted with 313 participants. Weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), and body compartments (adipose and muscle tissue) were evaluated using medical - grade electrical bioimpedance. Findings revealed a 2.91-year gap between biological age (77.21 years) and chronological age (74.30 years), evidencing accelerated aging. A pattern of sarcopenic obesity predominated (mean BMI: 27.64; body fat: 39.67\%; muscle mass: 20.50 kg). Dispersion analysis demonstrated that BMI increases correspond mainly to adipose tissue (R2=0.211) rather than muscle reserve (R2=0.033), indicating critical muscle frailty. It is concluded that BMI alone is insufficient to predict functional health, and the imbalance between adiposity and musculature compromises the physical autonomy of this population.",

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Anthropometric indicators and body composition as determinants of healthy ageing in older adults in a rural area of Ecuador. / Moyano Brito, Edison Gustavo (First Author); Lupercio Maza, Wilson Andres; Buele Largo, Aniela Estefania et al.
In: Genetics and Molecular Research, Vol. 24, No. 4, 4, 10.12.2025, p. 1-12.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Anthropometric indicators and body composition as determinants of healthy ageing in older adults in a rural area of Ecuador

AU - Moyano Brito, Edison Gustavo

AU - Lupercio Maza, Wilson Andres

AU - Buele Largo, Aniela Estefania

AU - Mesa Cano, Isabel Cristina

AU - Rodríguez Sánchez, Dolores Amparito

PY - 2025/12/10

Y1 - 2025/12/10

N2 - Premature biological aging manifests as physiological deterioration exceeding chronological age, substantially increasing morbidity risk, particularly in rural settings where body composition is a critical determinant of functional health. This research aimed to analyze the association between anthropometric indicators, body composition, and healthy aging in older adults from a rural Ecuadorian parish. Aquantitative, correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted with 313 participants. Weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), and body compartments (adipose and muscle tissue) were evaluated using medical - grade electrical bioimpedance. Findings revealed a 2.91-year gap between biological age (77.21 years) and chronological age (74.30 years), evidencing accelerated aging. A pattern of sarcopenic obesity predominated (mean BMI: 27.64; body fat: 39.67%; muscle mass: 20.50 kg). Dispersion analysis demonstrated that BMI increases correspond mainly to adipose tissue (R2=0.211) rather than muscle reserve (R2=0.033), indicating critical muscle frailty. It is concluded that BMI alone is insufficient to predict functional health, and the imbalance between adiposity and musculature compromises the physical autonomy of this population.

AB - Premature biological aging manifests as physiological deterioration exceeding chronological age, substantially increasing morbidity risk, particularly in rural settings where body composition is a critical determinant of functional health. This research aimed to analyze the association between anthropometric indicators, body composition, and healthy aging in older adults from a rural Ecuadorian parish. Aquantitative, correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted with 313 participants. Weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), and body compartments (adipose and muscle tissue) were evaluated using medical - grade electrical bioimpedance. Findings revealed a 2.91-year gap between biological age (77.21 years) and chronological age (74.30 years), evidencing accelerated aging. A pattern of sarcopenic obesity predominated (mean BMI: 27.64; body fat: 39.67%; muscle mass: 20.50 kg). Dispersion analysis demonstrated that BMI increases correspond mainly to adipose tissue (R2=0.211) rather than muscle reserve (R2=0.033), indicating critical muscle frailty. It is concluded that BMI alone is insufficient to predict functional health, and the imbalance between adiposity and musculature compromises the physical autonomy of this population.

KW - Healthy Aging

KW - Body Composition

KW - Anthropometry

KW - Premature Aging

KW - Rural Population

KW - Sarcopenic Obesity

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ER -

Anthropometric indicators and body composition as determinants of healthy ageing in older adults in a rural area of Ecuador

Abstract

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