In the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, evolving scientific ideas about the body and its vulnerabilities, about women’s education, and about appropriate gendered behavior each contributed to the emergence of physical culture and healthy living environments for women and girls. Decrying the physical state of American mothers, health reformers and educators promoted new habits and routines meant to establish bodily health, and ushered physical culture programs into educational institutions and private homes. Bound together by their unwavering faith in the ability of the material world to produce healthy bodies, reformers evoked the language of efficiency, of maternal fitness, and of a fallible body that could be bolstered through material objects and spaces. This dissertation provides at once a cultural history of the female body, a study of architecture and material culture, and a critical examination of the ways in which race has been historically constructed. While scholars have begun to take up the diverse threads of this story, an architectural and material analysis of spaces and objects for exercise has thus far been overlooked. Drawing on prescriptive literature, building manuals, advertisements, and images, this dissertation argues that in the decades between 1865 and 1930, scientific ideas about racial reproduction tangibly effected the design of women’s spaces. Chapter One locates the roots of women’s physical culture in the aftermath of the Civil War and elucidates its relationship to the dress reform movement. Chapter Two considers architectural space for women’s exercise from 1881 to 1912. These three decades mark a crucial moment as the typology of the American gymnasium solidified, and women’s physical culture slowly moved out-of-doors. Chapter Three examines the middle-class house through the lens of health, and the ways in which reformers and medical experts projected scientific beliefs about gendered and racialized fitness onto the home, its contents, and the moments of performance required to maintain household and personal health. It concludes with a discussion of performative health in each of these three instances, and the specialized knowledge required of women to maintain their own health and the health of their households.

Background: In recent years, sudden improvements in long-distance running performance have been suggested to be due to the latest technological innovations in running footwear. However, inter-individual differences appear to be large in the performance enhancing effect these shoes elicit where some runners experience a decline in performance while others improve substantially. The reason for this is not yet fully understood but may be due to differences in anthropometric and neuromuscular characteristics between runners. Aim: The aim of this thesis was to investigate the association between individual anthropometrical and neuromuscular characteristics of runners with changes in running mechanics while wearing these new generation shoes. Method: Eight male endurance runners performed four different testing protocols during one single visit. These consisted of an anthropometrical protocol where measurements of height, weight, leg length and Achilles tendon moment arm length were determined; a jumping protocol where vertical stiffness and eccentric utilization ratio (EUR) were recorded using a force platform; a running protocol where contact time, step length, ankle propulsive power and knee absorption power were measured using a force platform and a 12-camera motion analysis system; and finally a force-velocity protocol where each participant performed calf raises and back squats with incremental loads in a smith machine while barbell velocity was simultaneously recorded. The collected data were then statistically analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test and Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient. Results: Greater peak power in the back squat was associated with a greater reduction in peak knee absorption power (r = -0,905, p = 0,005) and less vertical stiffness during jumping was associated with longer step lengths with the advanced footwear technology (AFT) shoes (r = -0,738, p = 0,046). No associations were found between vertical stiffness during jumping and contact time, EUR with step length and contact time, peak power in the calf raise and Achilles tendon moment arm with peak ankle propulsive power. Conclusion: Runners with less vertical stiffness in the lower limb during jumping exhibited greater step length increase with AFT shoes. This may be due to the spring-like behavior the shoes possess. However, the larger step length increases the demands on lower limb strength and runners with less power in the lower limb may increase their knee absorption power during ground contact, leading to potentially less efficient running mechanics. Those with greater power in the lower limb may, on the other hand, run more efficiently by decreasing their knee absorption power leading to less muscular effort. / Bakgrund: De senaste årens förbättringar inom långdistanslöpning har föreslagits bero på de teknologiska framstegen som gjorts inom löparskokonstruktion. Det verkar emellertid finnas en skillnad i den prestationshöjande effekt som dessa skor framkallar, där vissa löpare upplever en försämring medan andra förbättras avsevärt. Orsaken till detta är fortsatt okänt men kan ha att göra med skillnader i antropometriska och neuromuskulära egenskaper mellan löpare. Syfte: Syftet med denna uppsats var att undersöka sambandet mellan individuella antropometriska och neuromuskulära egenskaper hos löpare med förändringar i löpmekanik som dessa nya generationens skor framkallar.Metod: Åtta manliga långdistanslöpare utförde fyra olika testprotokoll under ett enda besök. Dessa bestod av ett antropometriskt protokoll där längd, vikt, benlängd och momentarmslängd av Akillessenan mättes; ett hopprotokoll där vertikal styvhet och EUR registrerades med hjälp av en kraftplatta; ett löpprotokoll där kontakttid, steglängd, fotledskraft och knäledskraft mättes med hjälp av kraftplattor och ett rörelseanalyssystem med 12 kameror; och slutligen ett kraft-hastighetsprotokoll där varje deltagare utförde tåhävningar och knäböj med stigande belastning i en smith-maskin medan skivstångshastighet samtidigt registrerades. Den insamlade data analyserades därefter med Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test och Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient. Resultat: Högre peak power i benböj var associerat med en större minskning av maximal knäabsorptions power (r = -0,905, p = 0,005) och mindre vertikal styvhet under vertikalhopp var associerad med längre steglängd med AFT-skorna (r = -0,738, p = 0,046). Inget samband hittades mellan vertikal styvhet under vertikalhopp och kontakttid, EUR med steglängd och kontakttid, maximal power i tåhävningar och hälsenans momentarm med maximal propulsionspower i fotleden. Konklusion: Löpare med mindre vertikal styvhet i de nedre extremiteten under vertikalhopp uppvisade större steglängdsökning med AFT-skor. Detta kan bero på det fjäderliknande beteende skorna har. Den längre steglängden ökar dock kraven på styrkan i den nedre extremiteten och löpare med mindre kraft, har potentiell ökad knäabsorptions power under markkontakt vilket kan resultera i en mindre effektiv löpmekanik. De med bättre kraftutveckling i de nedre extremiteten kan däremot potentiellt springa mer effektivt med dessa nya generationens skor genom en minskning i knäabsorptions power vilket i sin tur leder till mindre muskulär ansträngning.

This study compares anthropometry of rural Indian schoolchildren using national and international reference values, and explores association between demographic and socioeconomic variables and growth measures among rural children. A cross-sectional survey of height, weight, and BMI was conducted among schoolchildren (5-16 years) in Gujarat, where there were pre-established contacts who could facilitate access to schools and data collection for this study. Gender- and age-specific Z-scores were obtained for 519 children (234 girls, 285 boys) based on Indian reference values (Khadilkar et al., 2009) using an Excel® macro. Percentages of children stunted (height-for-age less than or equal to -2SD), underweight (weight-for-age less than or equal to -2SD), and wasted (BMI-for-age less than or equal to -2SD) were obtained (Khadilkar & Khadilkar, 2011). Children falling between adult Indian BMI levels 23 and 28 kg/m2 were considered overweight, and those above 28 kg/m2 were considered obese. Those stunted (height-for-age + 1SD), and obese (BMI > +2SD) were generated similarly using the WHO International Growth Standards (WHO, 2015). Regression analyses were conducted to model the relationship between growth measures, determined using national references, and predictor variables: age, gender, school, and caste. 21%, 23.1%, 8.9%, 2.7% and 0.2% of children were respectively stunted, underweight, wasted, overweight and obese based on Indian References and recommendations, and 27 %, 8.7%, 6.4% and 2.7 % respectively stunted, wasted, overweight and obese based on WHO Standards and recommendations. School was found to have significant interaction with all growth measures (P <.0001) and age had a significant interaction with height-for-age (P = 0.05). The current level of undernutrition, and emerging problems of overnutrition, in this study highlight a need to concentrate efforts to improve nutrition of Indian schoolchildren in rural areas. / Public Health

In this study, an appraisal of the nutritional status of eighty-eight school children has been made, using the Wetzel Index with the Baldwin-Wood Index and the Pryor Index for the determinations.

Yes / Craniofacial anthropometry plays an important role in facial structure. This review paper evaluates existing research surrounding population norms of studied facial parameters. The purpose is two-fold: (1) to determine variations in facial measurements due to demi-group or ethnic variations based on traditional (direct) caliper based and image based (indirect) anthropometric methods. (2) to compare where possible, measured facial parameters between referenced studies. Inter and intra-population variations in addition to sexual dimorphism of facial parameters such as the nose and eyes, singularly or in combination with one another, have been concluded. Ocular measurements have exhibited ethnic variations between males and females of the Saudi, Turkish, Egyptian and Iranian group. Moreover, demic variations are reported when the native language has been used a key criterion. It has been concluded that with the current state of migration and inter-demic marriages, the study of homogenous populations will prove difficult. Subsequently, this will result in ambiguous physical traits that are not representative for any one demic or ethnic population. In this paper, results for the following adult male and female populations have been discussed: African American, Azerbaijani, Caribbean, Chinese, Croatian, Egyptian, Italian, Iranian, Turkish, Saudi Arabian, Syrian and South African. The qualitative research presented serves as a knowledge base for learners and strikes up thought provoking concepts about the direction anthropometrical research is heading.

Skeletal remains provide an exceptional opportunity to document the biological adaptations that a population undergoes in response to environmental, political and economic changes (Perry, 2007). For over 35 years, bioarchaeological analyses have documented such changes indigenous Ecuadorians. In 2007, Victoria Dominguez excavated remains at the Plaza San Marcos in Quito, Ecuador. I analyzed these remains, documented evidence of pathologic conditions and trauma, and compared this native population to other indigenous populations and to European cohorts. My analyses revealed increased violence and pathologic conditions in the Plaza San Marcos population when compared to populations occupying Quito prior to colonization and during Spanish control. Indigenous remains also exhibited more pathologic conditions and trauma than European remains. Historic accounts of life in Quito describe increased violence and hardships for natives following emancipation from Spain. My analyses did not reveal increased interpersonal violence, but did demonstrate evidence of increased general pathologies following independence. / by Ronda R. Graves. / Thesis M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Thesis (MASpor)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to gain more information on respiratory muscle function of team sports. This was achieved by determining the relationship between anthropometry and respiratory muscle function and the relationship between respiratory muscle function and exercise performance. The degree of respiratory muscle fatigue after a speed endurance test on land and in water was also determined. A total of 62 subjects were tested. The group consisted of 14 netball players (age: 20.9 ± SD 2.0 years; height: 172.5 ± SD 6.1cm and weight: 66.6 ± SD 7.8 kg); 15 rugby players (age: 21.7 ± SD 2.2 years; height: 183.1 ± SD 7.3cm and weight: 92.5 ± SD 13.2 kg); 12 male swimmers (age: 18.9 ± SD 2.5 years; height: 183.3 ± SD 6.5cm and weight: 77.2 ± SD 8.6 kg); 8 female swimmers (age: 17.8 ± SD 1.6 years; height: 168.3 ± SD 5.4cm and weight: 63.9 ± SD 9.8 kg); 7 male control subjects (age: 21.4 ± SD 1.5 years; height: 179.7 ± SD 5.0cm and weight: 80.8 ± SD 10.8 kg) and 6 female control subjects (age: 21.5 ± SD 1.5 years; height: 166.9 ± SD 6.5cm and weight: 60.2 ± SD 6.7 kg). Testing included anthropometric measurements, lung function (FVC test), and respiratory muscle function (baseline MIP, MEP, MVV). Netball -, rugby players and the control subjects performed a speed endurance test on land and the swimmers performed a speed endurance test in the swimming pool. This test was followed by a second MIP measurement 60 and 120 seconds after the sprint endurance test. Respiratory muscle strength showed no correlations to anthropometry for men and women. For men, height, weight, sitting height, biiacromiale breath and waist girth accounted for 17% of the variance in MIP (P = 0.34). The variance in MEP was accounted for 15.6% by height, weight, sitting height, biacromiale breath and waist girth (P = 0.41). For women, weight, sitting height, arm span, biacromiale breath and chest girth accounted for 28.4% of the variance in MIP (P = 0.17), but MEP was accounted for only 22% by sitting height, arm length, arm span and body mass index as well as chest girth (P = 0.32). Respiratory muscle endurance showed correlations to certain anthropometry variables and had a significant regression equations for MVV in men: -312.51 + (2.83 x Arm span) – (0.38 x Sum of 8 skinfolds) and arm span and sum of eight skinfolds accounted for 47.3% of the variance in MVV. Women’s MVV also had a significant regression (P = 0.002): - 106.7 + (1.5 x Body mass) + (1.0 x Arm span) – (0.2 x Sum of 8skinfolds) and weight, arm span and sum of eight skinfolds accounted for 45% of the variance in MVV. Only MIP and MEP had significant correlations (r = 0.63, P < 0.01 and r = 0.66, P < 0.02 respectively) to the speed endurance test on land. Although significant, MVV and FVC showed no correlations to the speed endurance test. Both MIP and MEP had a correlation to the speed endurance test in the water (r = -0.55, P < 0.02 for both). FVC also had a correlation to the speed endurance test, although it was not significant (r = -0.51, P < 0.44). MVV had a poor correlation to the speed endurance test. Sixty seconds after the speed endurance test the land –based group’s (netball and rugby players grouped together) RM were 14.39% fatigued compared to the 9.04% of the water – based group (swimmers) and 41.02% of the control group. One hundred and twenty seconds after the sprint endurance test the land –based group’s RM were 8.43 fatigued compared to the 3.54% of the water –based group and the 24.64% of the control group. In conclusion, anthropometry plays a moderate role in RM endurance but even a smaller role in RM strength. The relationship between RM functions and the speed endurance test varied between the land – and water –based groups, but certain RM function can play a moderate role in the performance in this speed endurance test. All the groups experienced fatigue after the speed endurance test, but the degree was more in the control group followed by the land –based athletes compared to the water –based athletes. This indicates that stronger RM function can lead to less RM fatigue. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om die respiratoriese spier funksies van span sporte te bestudeer en is gedoen deur na die verband tussen respiratoriese spier funksies en antropometrie, die verband tussen respiratoriese spier funksies en oefen prestasie en die mate van respiratoriese spier uitputting na oefening te kyk. ‘n Totaal van 62 subjekte is getoets. Die groep het bestaan uit 14 netbal (ouderdom: 20.9 ± SD 2.0 jaar; lengte: 172.5 ± SD 6.1cm en gewig: 66.6 ± SD 7.8 kg); 15 rugbyspelers (ouderdom: 21.7 ± SD 2.2 jaar; lengte: 183.1 ± SD 7.3cm en gewig: 92.5 ± SD 13.2 kg); 12 mans swemmers (ouderdom: 18.9 ± SD 2.5 jaar; length: 183.3 ± SD 6.5cm and gewig: 77.2 ± SD 8.6 kg); 8 dames swemmers (ouderdom: 17.8 ± SD 1.6 jaar; lengte: 168.3 ± SD 5.4cm and gewig: 63.9 ± SD 9.8 kg); 7 mans kontrole subjekte (ouderdom: 21.4 ± SD 1.5 jaar; lengte: 179.7 ± SD 5.0cm and gewig: 80.8 ± SD 10.8 kg) and 6 dames kontrole subjekte (age: 21.5 ± SD 1.5 years; height: 166.9 ± SD 6.5cm and weight: 60.2 ± SD 6.7 kg). Toetsing het die volgende ingesluit: Antropometriese meetings, long funksies en respiratoriese spier funksies (basislyn maksimale inspirasie drukking (MID), maksimale ekspirasie drukking (MED), maksimale willekeuring ventilasie (MWV)). ‘n Spoed uithouvermoë toets op land is deur die netbal –, rugbyspelers en die kontrole subjekte en ‘n uitgevoer en ‘n spoed uithouvermoë toets in die water is deur die swemmers uitgevoer. Beide hierdie toetse is gevolg deur ‘n tweede en derde maksimale inspirasie drukking 60 en 120 sekondes na die toets. Geen korrelasies is gevind tussen antropometrie en respiratoriese spier sterkte vir beide mans en dames. In die geval van mans, het lengte, gewig, bolyf lengte, bi- akromiale breedte en die omtrek van die middel 17% uitgemaak van die variansie in MIP (P = 0.34). Die variasie van MEP is uitgemaak deur 15.6% van lengte, gewig, bolyf lengte, biakromiale lengte en die omtrek van die middel (P = 0.41). Vir dames het gewig, bolyf length, arm reikwydte, bi –akromiale breedte en bors omtrek ’n 28.4% rol gespeel in die variansie van MIP (P = 0.17), maar die variasie in MEP is voorspel met 22% deur bolyf length, arm length, arm reikwydte, liggaams massa indeks en bors omtrek (P = 0.32). Respiratoriese spier uithouvermoê het ‘n korrelasie getoon met sekere antropometriese veranderlikes en ‘n statisties beduidende vergelyking vir mans MWV: -312.51 + (2.83 x Arm reikwydte) – (0.38 x Som van 8 velvoue) waar arm reikwydte en som van ag velvoue was verantwoordelik vir 47.3% van die variansie in MWV. Die dames se MWV het ook ‘n statisties beduidende vergelyking getoon: MWV = -106.7 + (1.5 x gewig) + (1.0 x Arm reikwydte) – (0.2 x Som van 8 velvoue) waar gewig, arm reikwydte en die som van ag velvoue verantwoordelik was vir 45% van die variansie in MWV. Slegs MID en MED het statisties beduidende korrelasies ( onderskeidelik r = 0.63, P < 0.01 and r = 0.66, P < 0.02 ) getoon met die spoed uithouvermoë toets op land. Geen korrelasie is tussen MWV en die geforseerde vitale kapasiteit toetse gevind al was die verband statistiese beduidend. Beide MID en MED het ’n korrelasie met die spoed uithouvermoë toets in die water getoon (r = -0.55, P < 0.02 vir beide). Die geforseerde vitale kapasiteit toets het ook ’n korrelasie met die spoed uithouvermoë toets, tog was dit nie statisties beduidend nie (r = -0.51, P < 0.44). MWV het geen korrelasie getoon met die spoed uithouvermoë toets op land. Sestig sekondes na die spoed uithouvermoë toets is ’n 14.39 % respiratoriese spier uitputting in die land gebaseerde groep (netbal – en rugby spelers), 9.04% respiratoriese spier uitputting in die water gebaseerde groep (swemmers) en ’n 41.02% respiratoriese spier uitputting in die kontrole groep gevind. Na 120 sekondes was die respiratoriese spiere van die land gebaseerde groep steeds 8.43% uitgeput in vergelyking met die 3.54% van die water gebaseerde groep en die 24.64% van die kontrole groep. Dus speel antropometrie ‘n matige rol in respiratories spier uithouvermoë en selfs ‘n kleiner rol in respiratoriese spier sterkte. Die verband tussen respiratoriese spier funksies en die spoed uithouvermoë toets het gevarieer tussen die land – en die water gebaseerde groepe, maar respiratoriese spier funksies kan ‘n matige rol speel in die voorspelling van die prestasie in die spoed uithouvermoë toets. Die kontrole groep het meer respiratoriese spier uitputting ervaar na die spoed uithouvermoë toets, dus beteken dit dat geoefende en ongeoefend persone respiratoriese spier uitputting sal ervaar.

TITLE: Calories vs. Composition: The effect on dietary alterations on anthropometric measures and biochemical parameters in overweight women.LEARNING OUTCOME: To determine if a high-protein, low-carbohydrate, ad-libitum diet is more effective than an energy-restricted diet in promoting weight loss and improving blood lipid and insulin levels.ABSTRACT TEXT: Thirty overweight/obese (BMI: 25-35kg/m2), premenopausal women were matched for Body Mass Index (BMI) and randomly assigned to one of the two diets: (1) High Protein (HP) (30-40% protein, 40-55% fat, 10-20% CHO); (2) Energy Restricted (ER) (1200kcal/d, 20-25% fat, 15-20% protein, 55-60% CHO). Subjects were given weekly menus matching their assigned macronutrient and/or energy requirements to aid in meal planning and dietary compliance. Baseline and post-diet measures included height, weight, body composition, blood lipids (total cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL< and triglycerides (TG)], and plasma insulin levels. There were no significant differences found among the two groups in any of the above-listed variables prior to the study. Twenty-three women completed the 6-week study (HP=11, ER= 12). Compliance to the diets was adequate as indicated by weekly 24-hour recalls and daily urinary ketone levels. Both groups lost a significant amount of weight and body fat (P<0.05), andweight and body fat losses were not significantly different between the groups. In addition, both groups experienced similar decreases in TG, TC, LDL, HDL, and insulin levels. These results indicate that a HP diet is no more effective than an ER diet in promoting favorable changes in body weight, body composition, blood lipids, and insulin levels. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

The diploma thesis is mainly focused on monitoring Rohrer's index (RI) at preschool children in age of 3, 4, 5, and 6. The work is solving the question of mutual relation between Rohrer's index, sickness rate, and spontaneous activity of preschool children. Furthermore, Body Mass Index (BMI) is listed as another anthropometric index. In fact, BMI shouldn't be used for this age group but it's mentioned for its general knowledge. The anthropometric research includes the measurement of preschool's children body height and weight. 240 children were measured in total. Each age group contains 60 kids from which are always 30 boys and 30 girls. In addition, there is evaluated children's half year of preschool attendance, sickness, and spontaneous physical activity. The research is dealing with the question if body weight or height can influence children's sickness rate. Moreover, there is solved the association between kids' anthropometric indexes and physical activity. The data were processed through Student's t- test and the independence test  2 . As it is stated by professionals, the research has proven that Rohrer's index is decreasing in relation to age. The next result shows that children with lower anthropometric indexes are usually more spontaneously active. Kids with higher indexes are more...

IMPORTÂNCIA: Mudanças significativas na composição corporal ocorrem com o envelhecimento, havendo aumento progressivo da massa gorda e redução da massa magra. Este quadro está associado à perda de força e mobilidade, ao aumento da morbidade e mortalidade. Nos indivíduos diabéticos tipo 2, esta condição é agravada pelas alterações metabólicas impostas pela doença. OBJETIVO: Comparar as medidas da composição corporal de idosas diabéticas tipo 2 pelo método antropométrico e raio-x de dupla varredura (DEXA), e correlacioná-las à força de preensão da mão. MÉTODOS: Cinqüenta e três voluntárias de 60 a 70 anos, com índice de massa corporal (IMC, kg/m2) de 19 a 44, do Ambulatório de Diabetes do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, foram avaliadas por: medidas antropométricas, raio-x de dupla varredura e força de preensão da mão. RESULTADOS: a) composição corporal antropometria x DEXA: não houve diferença estatística entre os métodos para as médias do peso, massa corporal magra, massa corporal gorda, porcentagem de gordura total e porcentagem de gordura do braço (P > 0,05). O peso, a massa corporal magra, a massa corporal gorda e o percentual de gordura total foram significativamente correlacionados pelos dois métodos. b) índices corporais x DEXA: o IMC, a circunferência do abdômen, a circunferência muscular do braço, a porcentagem de gordura do braço, a área muscular do braço, a área de gordura do braço, foram significativamente correlacionados, com os respectivos componentes do DEXA (P < 0,05); o índice abdômen/quadril não foi correlacionado ao DEXA. c) comparação entre diversos índices antropométricos: foram significativamente correlacionados (P < 0,05), o IMC e a circunferência do abdômen com a porcentagem de gordura total da antropometria; a circunferência muscular do braço com a massa corporal magra da antropometria. Não foram correlacionados o IAQ com o IMC e com a porcentagem de gordura total da antropometria. d) coeficiente de variação para medidas corporais do DEXA: variou de 0,3% a 9,6% entre os diferentes componentes corporais. e) teste de preensão de mão x variáveis associadas à massa muscular: foi correlacionado a variáveis antropométricas (P < 0,05), e não ao DEXA. CONCLUSÃO: Os dois métodos foram equivalentes para avaliação da composição corporal, sugerindo que a antropometria pode produzir um bom resultado de avaliação nestas idosas diabéticas. A força de preensão da mão teve correlação com a antropometria, mas não com as variáveis do DEXA. Portanto, estas medidas podem contribuir na avaliação do estado nutricional e de saúde em idosas diabéticas tipo 2 e ainda, acompanhar de maneira fácil e barata, a evolução de um tratamento. / IMPORTANCE: A significant change in corporal composition occurs with aging, with increase of fat mass and reduction lean mass. This situation is associated with loss of strength and mobility, and increase of morbidity and mortality. In diabetic type 2 individuals, this condition is aggravated by the metabolic alterations due to the illness. OBJECTIVE: To compare the measures of body composition of elderly women with diabetes type 2 through anthropometry and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and correlate findings to handgrip strength. METHODS: Fifty-three volunteers with age ranging from 60 to 70 years old, body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) 19 to 44 selected from the Diabetes Ambulatory of the Clinical Hospital of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São paulo, were evaluated by: anthropometry, DEXA and handgrip strength. RESULTS: a) anthropometry x DEXA in body composition analyses: there were no statistical differences between the average of the weight, lean body mass, fat body mass, percentage of body fatness and percentage of fatness of the arm (P > 0,05). The weight, lean body mass, body fat mass and percentage of body fatness were significantly correlated. b) body indices x DEXA: BMI, abdomen circumference, muscle arm circumference, percentage of fatness of the arm, muscular area of the arm and area of fatness of the arm were significantly correlated with the respective components of the DEXA (P < 0,05); the waist/hip ratio (WHR) was not correlated with DEXA (P < 0,05): c) comparison between athropometric indices: the following variables were significantly correlated (P < 0,05): BMI and circumference of the abdomen with the percentage of body fatness of the anthropometry; muscular circumference of the arm with the lean body mass of the anthropometry. The WHR was not correlated with the IMC and with the percentage of body fatness of the anthropometry. d) coefficient of variation for corporal measures of the DEXA: varied from 0,3% to 9,6%. Handgrip strength was correlated to anthropometrics variables (P <0,05), but not with DEXA. CONCLUSIONS: The two approaches were equivalent for the assessment of body composition, suggesting that anthropometry can produce a good result in the evaluation of this population. The handgrip strength was correlated with anthropometry, but not with the variables of DEXA. Therefore, these measures can contribute to the assessment of the nutritional status in elderly diabetic type 2.