Unexpected results were obtained by scientists of the Department of Hospital Therapy No. 2 of the First Moscow State Medical University. THEM. Sechenov of the Ministry of Health of Russia, after analyzing the body composition of centenarians over the age of 90 years.
Despite the fact that over the course of life, overweight negatively affects people’s health, contributing to the depletion of bone mineral tissue, causing the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other pathologies, overweight can play a positive role in centenarians. In the medical literature, as noted by MK, the “obesity paradox” among centenarians is described: it turns out that in obese people in old age, all prognosis for the future improves sharply, in comparison with people with normal or reduced body weight. The optimal body mass index (BMI) associated with the lowest mortality in the elderly is considered to be overweight or first degree obesity.
Scientists of Moscow State Medical University I.M. Sechenova diagnosed sarcopenia (loss of skeletal muscle mass and muscle function) based on a qualitative and quantitative analysis of muscle tissue (including bioimpedance studies, CT and MRI) in a group of centenarians over 90 years old. The observed group included more than 200 centenarians (70% women) under the age of 106 years (mean age 92 years). The composition of their body was studied, primarily the percentage of adipose tissue and its content in each part of the body. Significant differences between men and women were taken into account (weight, height and bone density in men are higher; lean tissue density is also higher in them).
It turned out that 30% of centenarians had normal body weight. In 70%, it was overweight or obese was established (it concerned every third participant in the study). In women, there was significantly more fat, and more in the lower extremities. 40% had osteoporosis, but a third of the group had none at all. In women, bone mineral density in all parts of the skeleton was lower than in men. At the same time, in 72% of the participants, the indicators of the musculoskeletal index were normal. Scientists suggest that special substances are produced in adipose tissue with age that help strengthen bone tissue.
“We found in the group of centenarians who have crossed the 90-year mark, a lot of people with overweight, but at the same time with normal indicators of bone tissue. We need to continue to study the obesity paradox, ”the researchers are quoted by MK.
Source: Rosbalt
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