Relationships between age, sex, anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance.

To establish the relationships between age, sex, anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance, 446 healthy subjects (242 men and 204 women), aged 17 to 88 years, were enrolled in our study. Anthropometric parameters included body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), skinfold thickness of the triceps (TSF), and arm muscle circumference (AMC). Using the BIA-106, RJL System, the bioelectrical resistance, bioelectrical reactance and phase angle were measured. Correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between gender, anthropometry and bioelectrical resistance. A significant correlation between age, anthropometry and reactance was also noted. Both male and female subjects in the fourth quartile of the age distribution showed significantly lower reactance and phase angle. The quartile study of the body mass index revealed corresponding changes in weight, BMI, TSF, AMC and resistance in quartiles, but not reactance. In conclusion, in addition to anthropometry, gender has an effect on bioelectrical resistance, and age has an effect on reactance.