Relation of body fat to age in the Czech population

Density and percentage of fat in the body were investigated in 403 females and 356 males of Czech population using hydrostatic weighing. The group was divided into four age subgroups ranging from 17 through 22, 23 through 29, 30 through 39 and 40 through 49 years. Fat values were found to increase with age, growing in females and males between the ages of 17 to 49 years from 27.1 to 35.4 and from 16.3 to 26%, respectively. In both sexes, the highest difference in the percentage of fat was observed between the second and third decennium. Body weight was also seen to increase with age up to 40 years of age. On the other hand, from 40 through 49 years a decrease in weight was seen both in male and female means, with the body heights also less in older subjects. The values observed, particularly in females, exceed those reported as a rule in other populations. This is accounted for by nutritional factors such as the amount of calories and composition of food and possibly also by the effect of the genetically given somatotype.