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. A quantitative, 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.