To evaluate sex- and age-stratified body composition (BC) parameters in subjects with wide age range of 20–79 years.

Cross-sectional.

Participants of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS).

Two thousand nine hundred seventy participants met our inclusion criteria. They were divided into five age groups, and BC parameters were analysed based on sex and age using a bioelectrical impedance analyser (BIA).

The mean age of the participants was 42·1 ± 12·5 years, and 54 % of them were males. The mean BMI was 26·7 ± 3·7 kg/m2. Obesity indices were significantly higher in females (P < 0·001); however, skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were significantly higher in males (P < 0·001). Both SMM and FFM decreased significantly after the age of 50 years. Obesity indices significantly increased from the age group of 20–29 to 30–39 years in males and the age groups of 30–39 to 40–49 years and 40–49 to 50–59 years in females. The fat mass ratio (fat mass/SMM) showed two peaks in both sexes (after the ages of 30 and 50 years in males and 40 and 50 years in females). A strong correlation was found between BMI and percentage of body fat (r = 0·823 in females v. r = 0·768 in males).

This is the first community-based study in the MENA region identifying sex- and age-stratified BC values using BIA. Our findings can be used as a reference for comparison in appropriate settings.