Longitudinal changes of body composition during a 3-year follow-up in Taiwan adults with type 2 diabetes.

Objectives: To elucidate longitudinal changes of body composition among type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: This was a retrospective study designed. A total of 6164 (mean age, 52.4±9.4 years) Taiwan T2D adults. The mean follow-up duration was 19.3±12.2 months. Body compositions were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Six body composition indicators were defined using body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI); appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), skeletal muscle index (SMI); body fat mass (BFM) and percent body fat (PBF).

Results: This study demonstrated that among individuals with T2D, their BW, BMI, ASM and SMI decreased progressively with age, with more pronounced annual declines observed in men compared with women. In contrast, changes in BFM and PBF exhibited a nonlinear trend: while both declined before the age of 65 years, they showed a shift towards stabilisation or increase after the age of 65 years. This upward trend was more evident in women compared with men, particularly for BFM.

Conclusion: Muscle tissue within the body composition of T2D patients experiences a decline with increasing age, while it is important to observe that adipose tissue demonstrates a rebound phenomenon after the age of 65 years.