Content area
Abstract
Background
The ratio of appendicular lean mass to trunk fat mass (ALM/TFM) has been associated with several health conditions, including metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, highlighting its importance as a marker for assessing body composition. However, there is currently a lack of research examining the relationship between ALM/TFM and dietary intake, specifically in postmenopausal women.
Aim
This study aimed to assess the association between ALM/TFM and dietary intake in postmenopausal women.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 107 postmenopausal women aged between 41 and 81 years. Dietary intake was assessed using three 24-h food recalls. Total lean mass, appendicular lean mass, total fat mass, and trunk fat mass were evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The ALM/TFM was calculated by dividing appendicular lean mass by trunk fat mass. Linear regression analysis, adjusted for confounders, was performed to assess the association between ALM/TFM and intake of various nutrients including carbohydrate, protein, lipid, saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, fiber, and sugar.
Results
Positive associations were observed between ALM/TFM and both fiber intake (β = 0.0476; CI = 0.0223–0.0729; p = 0.001) and carbohydrate intake (β = 0.0047; CI = 0.0006–0.0088; p = 0.025). However, when both fiber and carbohydrate intakes were simultaneously included in the statistical model, ALM/TFM remained significantly associated only with fiber intake (β = 0.0429; CI = 0.0141–0.0716; p = 0.004).
Conclusions
The appendicular lean mass to trunk fat mass ratio is positively associated with fiber intake in postmenopausal women.