Body composition is an important factor in determining the nutritional status of individuals and populations. Body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight independent of height, is commonly used to assess body composition in populations. Data from the Framingham cohort have shown that mean body mass index does not change across decades of age (Am J Public Health 1995; 85:726-8). Whereas, the proportion of body fat among women in the cohort increased between ages 30 and 60 and then declined. In contrast, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) increased linearly with age. The purpose of this study was to examine these relationships in women over 19 years old from a rural population. Body composition measurements were offered as part of a total health-screening package. Trained volunteers measured the participants who wore light clothing and no shoes. Height was measured with a portable stature board. Weight was measured with an electronic floor scale. Waist and hip circumferences were measured. Bioelectrical impedance was measured by using a standard tetrapolar technique according to procedures provided by the manufacturers (BIA-101A, RJL Systems and BES 200 Z, Bioelectrical Sciences, Inc.). BMI was calculated as weight (kg)/height (m)². Measurements were collected on 350 women. By decade, average BMI was 26.0 (20-29yrs), 27.0 (30-39yrs), 27.7 (40-49), 28.3 (50-59yrs), 27.7 (60-69yrs), 26.8 (70+yrs). For percent body fat, the average by decade was 32.6, 33.8, 32.5, 33.7, 33.0, and 30.8. The mean WHR increased from 0.77 among the 20-29 group to 0.82 among the 70+group. The effect of age on the various measurements was examined using linear regression. Only WHR was significantly associated with age (p=.011). These data support the results from Framingham that fatness varies with age and more importantly the distribution of fat becomes unhealthy with age (i.e., closer to 1.0). These changes are not captured with the BMI.