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  • Original Article
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Behavioral and physiological regulation of body fatness: a cross-sectional study in elderly men

International Journal of Obesity volume 30, pages 322–330 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To identify the characteristics of physical activity that are the most correlated to total and truncal fatness and to physiological parameters involved in fat oxidation in elderly men.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Subjects:

A total of 25 healthy elderly men selected with a wide range of physical activity behavior (65.9±3.4 years).

Measurements:

Total and truncal fat masses (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), time spent and energy expended (EEday) at specific activity intensities (<40, 40–60, >60% VO2max) during 1 week in free living conditions (using heart rate recording and individual calibrated equations), sport-exercising volume (Vsport, using Baecke questionnaire), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), muscle fat oxidative capacity (OXFA, using muscle biopsy), lipid oxidation and respiratory exchange ratio during exercise at 50% VO2max (using indirect calorimetry).

Results:

Vsport was the main determinant of total and truncal fatness, VO2max and OXFA (r=−0.69, P<0.0001; r=−0.80, P<0.0001; r=0.70, P<0.0001; r=0.66, P<0.001, respectively). Among physical activity parameters measured over a week, total EEday was the main determinant of total fat mass. Furthermore, EEday at % VO2max>60 was closely correlated to truncal fat mass, VO2max and OXFA (r=−0.58, P>0.01; r=0.55, P<0.01; r=0.49, P<0.05, respectively). Finally, VO2max and OXFA were positively correlated to absolute fat oxidation and to the contribution of fat to energy production during moderate exercise.

Conclusion:

Sport-exercising volume is the main factor regulating total and truncal fat masses and physiological parameters involved in fat oxidation. With regard to the characteristics of physical activity, overall energy expended during the alert period plays a major role in the regulation of total body fatness. In addition, vigorous exercises may be beneficial for the regulation of abdominal fat depot partly through the stimulation of muscle fat oxidation during the effort.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by research founds from the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA). We thank Dr Isabelle Petit, Jean-François Hocquette, Liliane Morin, Christophe Giraudet, Paulette Rousset, Marion Brandolini and Guy Manlhiot for their skillful technical assistance, Michel Vermorel and Dr Hélène Derumeaux for their valuable comments on the manuscript and the volunteers for their participation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Protein and Energy Metabolism Research Unit, Human Nutrition Research Centre of Auvergne, INRA, Auvergne University, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    V Rimbert, C Montaurier, Y Boirie & B Morio

  2. Laboratory of Physiology and Biology of Sport, Human Nutrition Research Centre of Auvergne, Auvergne University, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    M Bedu

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  1. V Rimbert
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  2. C Montaurier
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Correspondence to B Morio.

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Rimbert, V., Montaurier, C., Bedu, M. et al. Behavioral and physiological regulation of body fatness: a cross-sectional study in elderly men. Int J Obes 30, 322–330 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803113

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