[EFFECT OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY ON THE EQUILIBRIUM TIME, BUT NO IN THE TOTAL BODY WATER AND BODY COMPOSITION COMPARTMENTS IN WOMEN SUBJECTS OVER 60 YEARS OF AGE].

Introduction: aging and obesity cause changes in water exchange rate, which could affect the equilibrium time of deuterium oxide (2H2O).

Objective: to assess the effect of overweight and obesity on the equilibrium time of the stable isotope deuterium in saliva samples of older adults.

Methods: a sample of 18 women over 63 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 20.8 to 40.5 kg/m2 were included. A basal saliva sample was took and immediately a dose of 30 g of 2H2O was administered orally. Saliva samples at 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4 hours post-dose were taken. Deuterium in saliva samples were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy technique.

Results: the average in equilibrium time (plateau) in women of normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m2) was 3.6 ± 0.2 hours, which was statistically different to those obtained in the group with overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2) and obese (>30 kg/m2) of 2.9 ± 0.4 hours and 2.8 ± 0.4 hours, respectively (p0.05).

Conclusion: obesity had an effect on the equilibrium times; however, did not affect the calculation of total body water and body composition in this older women adult group.