Androgynic phenotypes in obese women.

Abstract

AbstractA sample of 521 Caucasian women from an outpatient obesity clinic were classified by androgynic design. Photographs and outline sketches were obtained and eventually characteristic body outline patterns were developed. The distinct patterns of androgynic phenotypes were useful in recording the amount, distribution and texture of fat tissue. The phenotypic patterns remained relatively constant despite weight fluctuations.In the group studied the magnitude of obesity and the age at which it first occurred were related to androgynic patterns. Early menarche and early onset of obesity were associated. Constitutional differences, as shown by the body outline drawings, are clinically useful in evaluating the kind and degree of obesity.