Identification and evaluation of old people's body compositions living in rest home and in family in Zonguldak

Studies of body composition supply important information about life styles of societies and social features of them. In this study, evaluations of body composition of people at the age of 65 years and over the age of 65 years, who live in rest homes and in family environment in Zonguldak and in township, is aimed to evaluate by means of anthropometric measurement considering sex and living environment. In accordance with this purpose, anthropometric measurement of tall stature, body weight, triceps skinfold thickness, biceps skinfold thickness, supscapular skinfold thickness, suprailiac skinfold thickness, supraspinale skinfold thickness, calf skinfold thickness, elbow width, knee width, upper arm circumference, calf circumference standing, waist circumference and hip circumference of 200 old age individuals (100 women and 100 men) are measured. The anthropometric measurements are carried out in accordance with methods provided by Biological Programme. By means of the measurements, values of old people's stature, body weight, fat percentage, body-mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio are calculated. Statistical analysis of data are carried out using SPSS 17.0 programme. According to study findings, values of fat percentage and BMI of women are determined as higher than values of men. Values of stature is higher for men. There is no significant difference between rates of waist/hip and body weight. While analysing of age-related changes of body composition, it is confirmed decrease on values of stature, body weight, BMI, waist/hip rate and fat percentage as growing old. In consequence of study, in terms of BMI values, old women and old men in the sample group are little overweight and have the characteristic of fat; rates of waist/hip and values of fat percentage are high for women and men. Therefore, it is risky for health status of old people. Moreover,study results reveal that nutritional habits differ according to residence of old people and physical activity habits do not take part sufficiently in their daily life. Key Words: Old age, Rest Home, Body Composition, Anthropometry.