Abdominal Skinfold Thickness Research Articles

Body frame variation and adiposity in development, a mixed‐longitudinal study of “cape coloured” children

The obesity epidemic is impacting both developed and undeveloped countries worldwide. It has only been recently that wide scale public campaigning has focused on prevention rather than intervention. Individual variations in food metabolism and energy expenditure may be responsible for much of the adiposity present amongst individuals. This article studies individual variation in relationship between lean trunk size and adiposity. A mixed longitudinal growth study was conducted between 1986 and 1995 among urban and rural "Cape Coloured" schoolchildren from the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The sample consists of 127 females and 130 males between the ages of 6 and 20 years measured 6-9 times each. Correlations between age-standardized triceps, subscapular and abdominal skinfold thicknesses and quotient indices obtained by expressing trunk length, lower limb, and upper limb lengths and bi-acromial and bi-iliocristal diameters as percentages of body height were explored for each year of growth. Significant correlation coefficients (P < 0.05) between 0.087 and 0.511 were found in both males and females, between bi-acromial and bi-iliocristal indices and three skinfold thicknesses, but not between trunk and limb lengths and skinfolds. Skeletal frame width and amount of adiposity are correlated. The correlation persists longitudinally throughout childhood and adolescence in individuals living in very poor, as well as, in good environmental conditions.

Assessment of Lekhana Basti in the management of hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia is highly prevalent and is closely related to coronary heart disease which is the most common cause of death. Raised cholesterol is estimated to be responsible for 18% of cerebrovascular disease and 56% of ischemic heart disease. Overall, these diseases account for about 4.4 million deaths (7.9% of the total). Based upon the etiological factors and symptom complexes, hyperlipidemia can be considered as a part of Medoroga. Being a Tikshna formulation, the treatment modality of Lekhana Basti is aimed basically for Apatarpana (emaciation) of the body, as Basti is the fastest Apatarpana. In the present clinical trial, a total of 22 patients were registered of whom 19 patients completed the course of the therapy. Under randomization, the registered patients were divided into two groups of which group A was treated with Lekhana Basti and group B was administered standard control drug, i.e., Triphala Guggulu, for 21 days. The results of the study revealed that in patients treated with Lekhana Basti, there was a decrease of about 4.99% in S. cholesterol, 9.13% in S. low density lipoprotein (LDL), and 0.36% in S. apolipoprotein B. Lekhana Basti was found to have significant effect in reducing the symptoms of Medodushti and in reduction of objective parameters like weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, body circumferences such as chest, abdomen, hip, pelvis, mid-thigh circumference, etc., and skin fold thickness as biceps, triceps, mid-arm, and abdominal skinfold thickness.

Changes in Skinfold Thicknesses and Body Fat in Ultra-endurance Cyclists

The present study investigated the changes in single skinfold thicknesses and body fat during an ultra-endurance cycling race. One hundred and nineteen ultra-endurance cyclists in the 'Swiss Cycling Marathon' covering a distance of 600 km were included. Changes in skinfold thickness, fat mass, skeletal muscle mass and total body water were estimated using anthropometric methods. The subjects were riding at a mean speed of 23.5±4.0 km/h and finished the race within 1,580±296 min. During the race, body mass decreased by 1.5±1.2 kg (P<0.001), and fat mass decreased by 1.5±1.1 kg (P<0.001). Skeletal muscle mass and total body water remained unchanged (P>0.05). The decrease in body mass correlated to the decrease in fat mass (r = 0.20, P=0.03). The skinfold thicknesses at pectoral (-14.7%), abdominal (-14.9%), and thigh (-10.2%) site showed the largest decrease. The decrease in abdominal skinfold was significantly and negatively related to cycling speed during the race (r = -0.31, P<0.001). Cycling 600 km at ∼23 km/h led to a decrease in fat mass and in all skinfold thicknesses. The largest decrease in skinfold thickness was recorded for pectoral, abdominal, and thigh site. The decrease in abdominal skinfold thickness was negatively related to cycling speed. The body seems to reduce adipose subcutaneous fat during an ultra-endurance performance at the site of the thickest skinfold.

Nutritional status in female basketball players at various levels of performance

Summary Objective The aim of this study was to assess nutritional status in female basketball players at various levels of performance who differed in training load per week, what is most important, were trained by the same coach. Methods Nutritional status was assessed in 39 female basketball players aged 14 to 25 years trained by one and the same coach. The studied population comprised 14 university students aged 19 to 25 years who attended basketball training obligatorily, 11 students from a university basketball team aged 19 to 25 years and 14 basketball players from a second division team aged 14 to 18 years. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical indices in serum and haematological indices were used to assess nutritional status. Results The level of performance had statistically significant influence on body height, subscapular skinfold thickness, abdominal skinfold thickness, HDL-cholesterol, atherogenic ratios: total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol, and apolipoproteins A and B, the percentages of the players who met the norm for HDL-C, mean corpuscular volume and the percentages of the players who met the norm for haematocrit. Conclusions Our study showed that the players from the university basketball team were characterised by the most favourable indices of nutritional status. Unexpectedly, the most unfavourable lipid profile was observed in basketball players at the highest level of performance, who had the most training sessions a week and had the longest training experience.

Adiposity indices in the prediction of insulin resistance in prepubertal Colombian children

To compare BMI with abdominal skinfold thickness (ASF), waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio in the prediction of insulin resistance (IR) in prepubertal Colombian children. We calculated age- and sex-specific Z-scores for BMI, ASF, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio and three other skinfold-thickness sites. Logistic regression with stepwise selection (P = 0·80 for entry and P = 0·05 for retention) was performed to identify predictors of IR and extreme IR, which were determined by age- and sex-specific Z-scores to identify the ≥ 90th and ≥ 95th percentile of homeostasis model assessment (HOMAIR), respectively. We used receiver operating characteristic curves to compare the area under the curve between models. Bucaramanga, Colombia. Children (n 1261) aged 6-10 years in Tanner stage 1 from a population-based study. A total of 127 children (seventy girls and fifty-seven boys) were classified with IR, including sixty-three children (thirty-three girls and thirty boys) classified with extreme IR. Only ASF and BMI Z-scores were retained as predictors of IR by stepwise selection. Adding ASF Z-score to BMI Z-score improved the area under the curve from 0·794 (95 % CI 0·752, 0·837) to 0·811 (95 % CI 0·770, 0·851; P for contrast = 0·01). In predicting extreme IR, the addition of ASF Z-score to BMI Z-score improved the area under the curve from 0·837 (95 % CI 0·790, 0·884) to 0·864 (95 % CI 0·823, 0·905; P for contrast = 0·01). ASF Z-score predicted IR independent of BMI Z-score in our population of prepubertal children. ASF and BMI Z-scores together improved IR risk stratification compared with BMI Z-score alone, opening new perspectives in the prediction of cardiometabolic risk in prepubertal children.

Age-related volumetric changes in pancreas: a stereological study on computed tomography

(1) To explore age-related changes in the volume of the pancreas on computed tomography (CT) images calculated by the method of Cavalieri. (2) To investigate the relationship between these changes and body mass index (BMI), gender, abdominal diameter, abdominal skinfold thickness. We retrospectively reviewed abdominal CT examinations of 272 adults between the ages of 20-88years. There were seven groups of patients, with 40 patients (only ninth decade has 32 patients) for each decade. Pancreatic volume (PV) was found to be 63.68±15.08cm(3) in females, 71.75±15.99cm(3) in males (mean value of both groups, 67.71±16.03cm(3)). Maximum value of PV was found in the fourth decade in females, males and also for mean of both groups (73.50, 84.21 and 78.85cm(3), respectively). PV remained constant until ~60years of age. Thereafter, it gradually decreased in both genders. There was a negative correlation between PV and age (p<0.001, r: -0.473). We found positive correlation between PV and BMI, sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), transverse abdominal diameter (TAD), anterior subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses (ASAT), posterior subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses (PSAT), bilateral subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses (BSAT). Quantitative data may allow clinicians to better estimate age-related PV changes and help them in decision making.

Population-based centile curves for triceps, subscapular, and abdominal skinfold thicknesses in Polish children and adolescents—the OLAF study

Skinfold thicknesses are used as valid anthropometric indicators of regional body fatness. Actual population-based values for skinfold thicknesses for Polish children are not available. The purpose of this study was to provide population-based values for triceps, subscapular, and abdominal skinfold thicknesses in healthy children and adolescents. A total number of 17,416 boys and girls aged 6.5–18.5 years, randomly selected from whole Polish population of children and adolescents, were enrolled in the study. Skinfold thicknesses (triceps, subscapular, and abdominal) were measured using Harpenden skinfold caliper. All measurements were taken after the training of participating investigators. The LMS method was used to fit percentile curves across age for each skinfold. Q tests for fit were used to assess the global goodness of fit of our final models. The study shows for the first time smoothed population-based values of body fat distribution indices for Polish children and adolescents 7–18 years of age. Reported skinfold centiles are higher compared to previously established for Warsaw children and very close to the actual US data. Conclusion Our study provided for the first time population-based values for skinfold thicknesses evaluation in a way allowing to calculate reliable Z scores. The early detection of abnormal fat stores, using our population-based values and respective Z scores, may be now implemented for practice.

Intervenção interdisciplinar na composição corporal e em testes de aptidão física de crianças obesas. DOI:10.5007/1980-0037.2012v14n2p134

Lifestyle changes are an important factor in the management and prevention of childhood obesity. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of an exercise program (based on recreational activities) and nutritional counseling on body composition and physical fitness test performance in obese children. Forty-four children aged 8 to 11 years were divided into two gender- and age-matched groups, intervention (n = 22) and control (n = 22). Several parameters were measured before and after 12 weeks of participation in the program: weight, height, skinfold thickness (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, abdominal and medial calf), circumferences (abdominal, arm, hip and calf) and the abdominal flexion and handgrip flexibility tests. The control group did not take part in the intervention. Thirty-two patients completed the study (16 in each group). The intervention group showed significant reductions in body mass index, triceps, subscapular and abdominal skinfold thickness, arm girth and sum of trunk skinfolds. There was a significant increase in right grip strength and abdominal strength. The control group showed a significant increase in body mass, waist circumference, subscapular and calf skinfold thickness, sum of trunk skinfolds, sum of limb skinfolds and arm and calf perimeters, as well as reduction in right hand grip strength. We conclude that the program was effective in reducing body fat and increasing physical fitness in children.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Lipodystrophy: An Objective Definition Based on Dual-Energy X-RAY Absorptiometry-Derived Regional Fat Ratios In A South Asian Population

To develop an objective definition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated lipodystrophy by using regional fat mass ratios and to assess the utility of anthropometric and skinfold measurements in the initial screening for lipodystrophy. Male patients between 25 and 50 years old with proven HIV infection (highly active antiretroviral therapy [HAART]-naïve subjects and those receiving successful HAART) were studied and compared with body mass index (BMI)-matched HIV-negative control subjects. Anthropometric variables, body composition, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry findings, and metabolic variables were compared among the 3 study groups and between those patients with and those without lipodystrophy. Trunk fat/lower limb fat mass ratio >2.28 identified 54.3% of patients with HIV receiving HAART as having lipodystrophy and had the highest odds ratio for predicting metabolic syndrome. The "clinical diagnosis of lipodystrophy" and the "clinical scoring system" had too many false-positive and false-negative results. Triceps skinfold thickness (SFT)/BMI ratio ≤0.49 and abdominal SFT/triceps SFT ratio >1.385 have good sensitivity but poor specificity in identifying lipodystrophy. In comparison with HAART-naïve patients with HIV, those receiving HAART had significantly higher insulin resistance, and a significantly greater proportion had impaired glucose tolerance and dyslipidemia. Among patients receiving HAART, those with lipodystrophy had a greater degree of insulin resistance, higher triglyceride levels, and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The trunk fat/lower limb fat mass ratio in BMI-matched normal subjects can be used to derive cutoff values to define lipodystrophy objectively in HIV-infected patients. Defining lipodystrophy in this way is better than other methods of identifying those patients with increased cardiovascular risk. Triceps SFT/BMI and abdominal SFT/triceps SFT ratios may be useful as screening tools in resource-poor settings.

Effect of Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor–Based Antiretroviral Therapy on Dysglycemia and Insulin Sensitivity in South African HIV-Infected Patients

Data on the prevalence of the complications of antiretroviral therapy (ART) (diabetes, central fat accumulation, peripheral fat wasting, and dyslipidemia) in sub-Saharan Africa are sparse. We examined the prevalence and associated risk factors of dysglycemia and insulin sensitivity in HIV-infected South Africans. HIV-infected patients, on nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based ART or ART-naive, had oral glucose tolerance tests and clinical anthropometry. Insulin sensitivity and β-cell function were assessed. The prevalence of dysglycemia in 406 ART-naive patients and 443 patients on ART was 25.7% and 21.9% (P = 0.193), respectively. Dysglycemic patients on ART had a similar body mass index (P = 0.440), greater waist circumference (P = 0.047), and smaller calf skinfold thickness (P = 0.015) than dysglycemic ART-naive patients but no difference in β-cell function or insulin sensitivity. Normoglycemic patients on ART had a greater body mass index (P = 0.0009), waist circumference (P = 0.0001), and abdominal skinfold thickness (P = 0.040), similar calf skinfold thickness (P = 0.079), and reduced β-cell function [lower insulinogenic index (P = 0.027) and oral disposition index (D(o), P = 0.020)] compared with normoglycemic ART-naive patients. In multivariate analysis, older age [odds ratio (OR): 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02 to 1.06], male gender (OR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.28 to 2.99), higher CD4 count (OR: 1.0, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.02) and use of efavirenz (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.19 to 2.45) were associated with dysglycemia. The prevalence of dysglycemia in ART-naive and ART patients was similar. Peripheral fat wasting was more common in dysglycemic patients on ART. The association of efavirenz with dysglycemia is important because first-line ART regimens in the developing world include nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and increasingly, efavirenz is selected because of its perceived lower toxicity than nevirapine.

Anthropometric and Training Variables Related to Half-Marathon Running Performance in Recreational Female Runners

The relationship between skin-fold thickness and running has been investigated in distances ranging from 100 m to the marathon distance (42.195 km), with the exclusion of the half-marathon distance (21.0975 km). We investigated the association between anthropometric variables, prerace experience, and training variables with race time in 42 recreational, nonprofessional, female half-marathon runners using bi- and multivariate analysis. Body weight (r, 0.60); body mass index (r, 0.48); body fat percentage (r, 0.56); pectoral (r, 0.61), mid-axilla (r, 0.69), triceps (r, 0.49), subscapular (r, 0.61), abdominal (r, 0.59), suprailiac (r, 0.55), and medial calf (r, 0.53) skin-fold thickness; mean speed of the training sessions (r, −0.68); and personal best time in a half-marathon (r, 0.69) correlated with race time after bivariate analysis. Body weight (P = 0.0054), pectoral skin-fold thickness (P = 0.0068), and mean speed of the training sessions (P = 0.0041) remained significant after multivariate analysis. Mean running speed during training was related to mid-axilla (r, −0.31), subscapular (r, −0.38), abdominal (r, −0.44), and suprailiac (r, −0.41) skin-fold thickness, the sum of 8 skin-fold thicknesses (r, −0.36); and percent body fat (r, −0.31). It was determined that variables of both anthropometry and training were related to half-marathon race time, and that skin-fold thicknesses were associated with running speed during training. For practical applications, high running speed during training (as opposed to extensive training) may both reduce upper-body skin-fold thicknesses and improve race performance in recreational female half-marathon runners.

Sexual dimorphism of anthropometrical measurements in judoists vs untrained subject

This study aims to evaluate the sexual dimorphism in the body composition and somatotype of Polish elite judoists and comparison with untrained subjects. Twenty-two males and 12 female judoists have participated in this study. Their ages and judo experiences are respectively 23 vs. 22 years old and 12 vs. 11 years. Ten required measurements were taken to establish the individual's somatotypes (SiberHegner Machines SA, Zurich, Switzerland instruments). To compare the 165 males and 153 females untrained, abdominal skinfold thickness was measured with Skinfold Caliper. Mean height and weight, somatotype and body mass index, fat free mass index, fat mass index, and fat percentage were calculated. The two-step ratio of sexual dimorphism index (SDI) was used. Sixteen out of the 21 measurements and anthropometric indices showed a reduction of sexual dimorphism in judoists compared with the untrained subjects. Highest differences were found in the fat mass and fat percentage. Conversely, a very low difference of SDI was observed for height-weight ratio, ectomorphy, fat free mass percentage and calf girth. Average SDI in untrained subjects was higher than in judoists. Évaluer le dimorphisme sexuel de la composition corporelle et somatotype de l’elite polonaise de judo et les comparer avec des sédentaires. Trente-quatre judokas (22 hommes et et 12 femmes) ont participé à notre étude. Leur âge et leur éxperience sont respectivement de 23,1 versus 22,2 ans et 12,7 versus 11,0 ans. Afin de déterminer les somatotypes individuels et les comparer avec des sédentaires (165 hommes et 153 femmes), dix mesures ont été prises (SiberHegner Machines SA, Zurich, instruments Suisse), le pli cutané abdominal a aussi été mesuré. La moyenne de la taille et du poids, les somatotypes et l’indice de masse corporelle, l’indice de masse maigre, l’indice de masse grasse et le pourcentage de la masse grasse corporelle ainsi que les deux indices du dimorphisme sexuel (IDS) ont été calculés. Seize sur 21 mesures et indices anthropométriques calculées ont montré une réduction du dimorphisme sexuel chez les judokas versus sédentaires. Des différences significatives ont été observées pour la masse grasse et le pourcentage de graisse. Toutefois, une faible difference de l’IDS a été relevée pour le rapport taille-poids, ectomorphe, le pourcentage de la masse maigre et la circonférence du mollet. L’IDS est moins important chez les judokas que chez les sédentaires.

Genome-wide linkage and peak-wide association study of obesity-related quantitative traits in Caribbean Hispanics

Although obesity is more prevalent in Hispanics than non-Hispanic whites in the United States, little is known about the genetic etiology of the related traits in this population. To identify genetic loci influencing obesity in non-Mexican Hispanics, we performed a genome-wide linkage scan in 1,390 subjects from 100 Caribbean Hispanic families on six obesity-related quantitative traits: body mass index (BMI), body weight, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, abdominal and average triceps skinfold thickness after adjusting for significant demographic and lifestyle factors. We then carried out an association analysis of the linkage peaks and the FTO gene in an independent community-based Hispanic subcohort (N = 652, 64% Caribbean Hispanics) from the Northern Manhattan Study. Evidence of linkage was strongest on 1q43 with multipoint LOD score of 2.45 (p = 0.0004) for body weight. Suggestive linkage evidence of LOD > 2.0 was also identified on 1q43 for BMI (LOD = 2.03), 14q32 for abdominal skinfold thickness (LOD = 2.17), 16p12 for BMI (LOD = 2.27) and weight (LOD = 2.26), and 16q23-24 for average triceps skinfold thickness (LOD = 2.32). In the association analysis of 6,440 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) under 1-LOD unit down regions of our linkage peaks on chromosome 1q43 and 16p12 as well as in the FTO gene, we found that two SNPs (rs6665519 and rs669231) on 1q43 and one FTO SNP (rs12447427) were significantly associated with BMI or body weight after adjustment for multiple testing. Our results suggest that in addition to FTO, multiple genetic loci, particularly those on 1q43 region, may contribute to the variations in obesity-related quantitative traits in Caribbean Hispanics.

The Relationship Between Selected Body Composition Variables and Muscular Endurance in Women

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if muscular endurance is affected by referenced waist circumference groupings, independent of body mass and subcutaneous abdominal fat, in women. This study also explored whether selected body composition measures were associated with muscular endurance. Eighty-four women were measured for height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and abdominal skinfold thickness (SFAB) and performed 60-s sit-ups (SU) and maximal push-ups (PU) tests. Mean differences in SU and PU scores were tested across three groups based on WC as follows: WCG1 < 70 cm; WCG2 between 70 and 89 cm; WCG3 ≥ 90 cm. There were no significant differences in SU and PU scores between WCG1 and WCG2. WCG3 had significantly lower SU and PU scores compared to the other groups. After adjusting for the influence of SFAB, BMI, and weight, the differences disappeared. The regression analysis revealed a two-variable (BMI and SFAB) model that accounted for the variation in SU performance. For PU, only BMI loaded into the regression model. The results of this study suggest that women with a WC ≥ 90 cm have decreased muscular endurance compared to their lower WC counterparts. This difference is related to higher body masses.

Common SNPs in FTO Gene Are Associated with Obesity Related Anthropometric Traits in an Island Population from the Eastern Adriatic Coast of Croatia

BackgroundMultiple studies have provided compelling evidence that the FTO gene variants are associated with obesity measures. The objective of the study was to investigate whether FTO variants are associated with a broad range of obesity related anthropometric traits in an island population.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe examined genetic association between 29 FTO SNPs and a comprehensive set of anthropometric traits in 843 unrelated individuals from an island population in the eastern Adriatic coast of Croatia. The traits include 11 anthropometrics (height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, bicondilar upper arm width, upper arm circumference, and biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and abdominal skin-fold thicknesses) and two derived measures (BMI and WHR). Using single locus score tests, 15 common SNPs were found to be significantly associated with “body fatness” measures such as weight, BMI, hip and waist circumferences with P-values ranging from 0.0004 to 0.01. Similar but less significant associations were also observed between these markers and bicondilar upper arm width and upper arm circumference. Most of these significant findings could be explained by a mediating effect of “body fatness”. However, one unique association signal between upper arm width and rs16952517 (P-value = 0.00156) could not be explained by this mediating effect. In addition, using a principle component analysis and conditional association tests adjusted for “body fatness”, two novel association signals were identified between upper arm circumference and rs11075986 (P-value = 0.00211) and rs16945088 (P-value = 0.00203).Conclusions/SignificanceThe current study confirmed the association of common variants of FTO gene with “body fatness” measures in an isolated island population. We also observed evidence of pleiotropic effects of FTO gene on fat-free mass, such as frame size and muscle mass assessed by bicondilar upper arm width and upper arm circumference respectively and these pleiotropic effects might be influenced by variants that are different from the ones associated with “body fatness”.

Adiposity and Quality of Life: A Case Study from an Urban Center in Nigeria

Objective To determine relationship between adiposity indices and quality of life (QOL) of residents of a housing estate in Lagos, Nigeria. Design Cross-sectional survey employing multistep random sampling method. Setting Urban residential estate. Participants This study involved 900 randomly selected residents of Abesan Housing Estate, Lagos, Nigeria. Main Outcome Measures Body mass index (BMI); waist circumference (WC); waist-to-hip ratio (WHR); triceps skin-fold thickness (TSFT); and abdominal skin-fold thickness (ASFT) were measured using International Standard of Anthropometric Assessment methods. QOL was assessed using Short Form-20. Analysis Data were analyzed using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Result The mean age of participants was 37.7 ± 14.3 years, with a range of 20 to 80 years. The mean values of adiposity indices were 24.1 ± 4.3 kg/m 2 (BMI), 11.5 ± 5.3 mm (TSFT), 18.5 ± 6.2 mm (ASFT), 81.8 ± 11.2 cm (WC), and 0.89 ± 0.1 (WHR). Although the overall mean QOL score was 72.02 ± 11.9, women had significantly ( P < .05) lower scores (70.1 ± 5.2) than men (73.5 ± 11.3). There was inverse correlation between QOL and each of the age and adiposity indices. Conclusion and Implications Quality of life of the urban-dweller Nigerians decreased with increasing body adiposity and age. This finding suggests the need to further educate the Nigerian public on the association between high body fat and poor health.

Suprailiac or Abdominal Skinfold Thickness Measured with a Skinfold Caliper as a Predictor of Body Density in Japanese Adults

Measurement of subcutaneous fat thickness with a skinfold caliper is a simple and inexpensive technique for assessment of body composition, but is influenced by the skin site or the obesity level. The resulting measurement errors may influence the prediction accuracy of body density. We therefore aimed to clarify the characteristics of measurement errors with a skinfold caliper and to determine useful measurement sites for the prediction of body density in Japanese adults of wide-ranging age and obesity levels. The present study included 126 Japanese male and 77 female subjects ranging from 21 to 81 years old. They were divided into a "non-obese group" and an "obese group", based on the Japanese criteria of obesity (BMI > or = 25 kg/m(2)). Subcutaneous fat thickness was measured at 14 sites with a skinfold caliper and ultrasound. Percent body fat was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and body density was calculated using Brozek's formula. Sex and obesity level differences in the measurement error of skinfolds (ultrasound minus skinfold caliper measurements) were examined by 2 x 2 ANOVA (sex and obesity groups) for each site. The relationship between body density and the systematic error was examined. We developed an accurate prediction equation for body density with smaller measurement and systematic errors. Although measurement errors in skinfold thickness tended to increase with increasing obesity levels, the influence was smaller for the abdominal and suprailiac skinfolds compared with other sites. Measurement of suprailiac or abdominal skinfold thickness is useful to accurately estimate body density in Japanese adults.

Relationship Between Visceral Fat Accumulation and Hypertension in Obese Men

Purpose. Visceral‐fat (VF) accumulation is suggested to be a major contributor to such cardiovascular‐disease risk factors as hypertension (H), glucose intolerance (G), and hyperlipidemia (L). We have devised a simple way of estimating VF accumulation, and investigated the relationship between VF and hypertension in obese men. Methods. First, CT scan was used to measure VF area in the umbilical region in 108 obese men. Then the umbilical‐region circumference (C) was measured with a tape measure and abdominal skinfold thickness (S) with a skinfold caliper. The data obtained with a model formula (VFe = αC2 − βCS + γ) and actual VF area were compared, and three coefficients, α, β, and γ, were calculated by means of multivariate analysis. Next, in 354 male company employees, VFe was estimated using this model formula, and cardiovascular risk factors were investigated. Results. The formula for estimating VF (cm2) was VFe = 0.03C2 − 0.36CS − 47 (correlation coefficient; r = 0.72). Discriminant analysis between the merely obese group (O) and the group complicated by multiple cardiovascular risk factors (O, H, G, and L) determined a VFe‐cutoff value of 120 cm2. Its discriminant sensitivity/specificity values were significantly higher than those based on body mass index (BMI) (cutoff value of 27 kg/m2) (p < 0.05). Hypertensive obese (HO) men with high VFe value (>120 cm2) had a higher frequency of other risk factors (G or L: 86%). Conclusion. VFe is considered useful in estimating VF accumulation, and seems more effective than BMI for predicting multiple cardiovascular risk factors (VF syndrome) in obese hypertensive men.

Estimating Body Weight and Body Composition of Chickens by Using Noninvasive Measurements

The major objective of this research was to develop equations to estimate BW and body composition using measurements taken with inexpensive instruments. We used five groups of chickens that were created with different genetic stocks and feeding programs. Four of the five groups were from broiler genetic stock, and one was from sex-linked heavy layers. The goal was to sample six males from each group when the group weight was 1.20, 1.75, and 2.30 kg. Each male was weighed and measured for back length, pelvis width, circumference, breast width, keel length, and abdominal skinfold thickness. A cloth tape measure, calipers, and skinfold calipers were used for measurement. Chickens were scanned for total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) before being euthanized and frozen. Six females were selected at weights similar to those for males and were measured in the same way. Each whole chicken was ground, and a portion of ground material of each was used to measure water, fat, ash, and energy content.Multiple linear regression was used to estimate BW from body measurements. The best single measurement was pelvis width, with an R2 = 0.67. Inclusion of three body measurements in an equation resulted in R2 = 0.78 and the following equation: BW (g) = −930.0 + 68.5 (breast, cm) + 48.5 (circumference, cm) + 62.8 (pelvis, cm).The best single measurement to estimate body fat was abdominal skinfold thickness, expressed as a natural logarithm. Inclusion of weight and skinfold thickness resulted in R2 = 0.63 for body fat according to the following equation: fat (%) = 24.83 + 6.75 (skinfold, ln cm) − 3.87 (wt, kg). Inclusion of the result of TOBEC and the effect of sex improved the R2 to 0.78 for body fat. Regression analysis was used to develop additional equations, based on fat, to estimate water and energy contents of the body. The body water content (%) = 72.1 − 0.60 (body fat, %), and body energy (kcal/g) = 1.097 + 0.080 (body fat, %). The results of the present study indicated that the composition of a chicken's body could be estimated from the models that were developed.

Correlation between a liking for fat-rich foods and body fatness in adult Japanese: a gender difference

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that Japanese adults who like fat-rich foods have more body fatness and higher serum lipid levels than those who do not. The subjects were 540 male and 492 female workers under 41 years of age. A self-administered questionnaire determined four levels of liking for fat-rich foods. Anthropometric measurements were employed yielding body mass index (BMI), waist to hip circumference ratio (WHR), and skinfold thickness. Anthropometric values were compared among the levels of liking for fat-rich foods using analysis of covariance. For males, a liking for fat-rich foods was associated with BMI, WHR, whole-body skinfold thickness, and abdominal skinfold thickness (p<0·0001). In particular, those who like fat-rich foods “quite a bit” or “very much” showed significantly higher values than those who answered “no” or “a little”. Multiple regression analysis showed that a liking for fat-rich foods explains 7–9% of the variation in the anthropometric indices, even when other lifestyles were taken into account. For females, such findings were not evident. There is a gender difference in the association between a liking for fat-rich foods and body fatness. The difference may be due to a female-specific attitude toward high-calorie foods.