Key points from article :
Body composition can be an effective way of predicting longevity in people over 65 years of age.
Research group included 839 men and women over the age of 65.
All-cause mortality risk increased during the follow-up period in people with low appendicular muscle mass.
Body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, also known as bone density scanning.
Higher proportion of subcutaneous fat had a protective effect in the men.
Results were published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Study conducted by researchers at the University of São Paulo’s Medical School.