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

Abstract

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