Variations In Body Composition Among Adult Males With Different Lifestyles

Knowledge about body composition is essential when one considers nutritional status, body weight, and health. Excess body fat is associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, coronary heart diseases and strokes, while underweight or under-nutrition in adults can result in reduced work capacity and affect productivity. Both conditions exist in developing countries. Research on body composition is widespread in developed countries. Literature is, however, not readily available on the trends in body composition in developing countries. This study was carried out with the aim of investigating trends in body composition among adult males and how they are influenced by age, socio-economic status (measured by the mean grade point system ), energy expenditure, energy intake, and energy balance. Information on age, socio-economic status, energy expenditure, and energy intake were obtained using questionnaires, while anthropometric measurem ents were taken using standardized procedures. Measures of body composition were derived using various equations from which Upper-arm F at E stim ate (U FE), Farm ass (FM ), Total Skinfold Thickness (TSK F), Percent B ody F at (BF% der and B F% l e a n ), Body