The Cutoff Value in Body Fat Percentage for Increased Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Elderly People With Normal Body Weight

Background: In this study, we identified the cutoff value for the percentage in body fat related to metabolic syndrome in elderly people with normal body mass index (BMI). We also found the correlation between body fat percentage and metabolic syndrome. Methods: We used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2008 to 2011. Our subjects were elderly people aged 65 or above, with BMI less than 23.0 kg/m 2 . We determined the cutoff value for body fat percentage through receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results: The cutoff value for percentage body fat related to metabolic syndrome was 19.5% for men (sensitivity 68.0%, specificity 62.9%) and 30.0% for women (sensitivity 55.1%, specificity 62.0%). Based on the cutoff value, 43.3% in men and 43.1% in women were classified into the high body fat percentage group. After adjusting for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and exercise status, the men with higher than normal body fat percentage had an odds ratio of 3.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.10-6.22; p<0.001) for developing metabolic syndrome, whereas women had an odds ratio of 1.95 (95% CI, 1.30-2.92; p<0.001). Conclusion: The cutoff value for body fat percentage related to metabolic syndrome was lower in elderly. In the elderly with normal body mass index, high percentage of body fat percentage was associated with a high risk of metabolic syndrome.