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Calf circumference is similarly associated with fat mass and lean mass in postmenopausal women with high body fat percentage

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Abstract

Aim

To evaluate the association of calf circumference (CC) with lean and fat mass in postmenopausal women with high body fat percentage.

Methods

A cross-sectional study with 50 postmenopausal women who had high body fat percentage was performed. CC was measured at the maximal circumference using a nonelastic tape, and values lower than 33 cm were considered as inadequate. Total lean mass (TLM), total fat mass (TFM), leg lean mass (LLM), and leg fat mass (LFM) were obtained by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results

Women with adequate CC presented higher body mass index (30.7 ± 5.1 vs. 25.0 ± 2.8 kg/m2; p = 0.003), body fat percentage (43.8 ± 5.6 vs. 39.1 ± 4.1; p = 0.029), and TLM (38.0 ± 4.6 vs. 31.5 ± 2.5 kg; p < 0.001) than those individuals classified with inadequate CC, respectively. Multivariate generalized linear model analysis showed that CC predicted TLM and TFM as well as LLM and LFM in a similar way.

Conclusion

CC was similarly associated with fat mass and lean mass in postmenopausal women with high body fat percentage.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

body mass index

CC:

calf circumference

GLM:

generalized linear model

LFM:

leg fat mass

LLM:

leg lean mass

MMI:

muscle mass index

SAD:

sagittal abdominal diameter

TLM:

total lean mass

TFM:

total fat mass

WC:

waist circumference

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Statement of authorship

RPFC, SMB, and AMM wrote the manuscript; PCN and LTR participated in data collection, analysis and writing the manuscript; FLO participated in the interpretation of the data and contributed with the revision of the manuscript; and EPO carried out the conception and design of the study, participated in the interpretation of the data and writing the manuscript, and contributed with the revision of the manuscript.

Funding

We are thankful to FAPEMIG for the financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Nutrition, Exercise and Health (LaNES), School of Medicine, Federal University of Uberlandia (UFU), Av. Pará, n°1720 Bloco 2U Campus Umuarama, Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil

    Raíla P. F. Cruz, Sara M. Barreiro, Anne M. Mendonça, Luana T. Rossato, Paula C. Nahas & Erick P. de Oliveira

  2. Exercise Biology Research Group (BioEx), Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro (UFTM), R. Frei Paulino, 30 - Nossa Sra. da Abadia, Uberaba, MG, 38025-180, Brazil

    Fábio L. Orsatti

  3. Department of Sport Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil

    Fábio L. Orsatti

Authors
  1. Raíla P. F. Cruz
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  2. Sara M. Barreiro
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  3. Anne M. Mendonça
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  4. Luana T. Rossato
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  5. Paula C. Nahas
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  6. Fábio L. Orsatti
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  7. Erick P. de Oliveira
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erick P. de Oliveira.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (protocol number 1.090.676) of the Federal University of Uberlandia.

Informed consent

Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to the study.

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Cruz, R.P.F., Barreiro, S.M., Mendonça, A.M. et al. Calf circumference is similarly associated with fat mass and lean mass in postmenopausal women with high body fat percentage. Nutrire 45, 6 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41110-019-0109-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41110-019-0109-2

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