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Abstract
Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the main component of total energy expenditure and has a well-documented relationship with sex, age, and fat-free mass. However, the impact of other components of body composition—such as total fat mass, body fat percentage, and visceral fat—on BMR in older adults living in rural areas has been little studied. To investigate the correlation between BMR and body composition parameters obtained via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in older adults from rural areas of Cuenca, Ecuador. A cross-sectional observational study involving 316 older adults (≥65 years) residing in the rural parishes of Sinincay, Ricaurte, and El Valle. Body composition was assessed using multifrequency BIA (Charder U310), and TMB was calculated using the device’s predictive formula. Skeletal muscle mass, fat mass, body fat percentage, visceral fat, and lean mass were analyzed. Pearson and Spearman correlations were performed, along with stepwise multiple linear regression models adjusted for sex and age. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied The sample included 316 participants (68.7% women), with a mean age of 74.3 ± 7.6 years and a BMI of 27.6 ± 4.7 kg/m². Muscle mass was the strongest predictor of TMB (r = 0.69; p < 0.001). In the multiple regression models, muscle mass was the only significant independent predictor of TMB (β=19.6 kcal/kg; 95% CI 16.1–23.0; p<0.001), whereas total fat mass showed no independent association. Body fat percentage was inversely associated with TMB (β = −4.1; p = 0.002). The final model explained 53.4% of the variability in TMB (R² = 0.534). Muscle mass is the primary determinant of BMR in older adults living in rural Ecuador. Preserving muscle mass through exercise and adequate protein intake represents the most effective strategy for maintaining BMR and promoting healthy weight management.
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