Central Skinfolds Research Articles

Shortening of leucocyte telomere length is independently correlated with high body mass index and subcutaneous obesity (predominantly truncal), in Asian Indian women with abnormal fasting glycemia

IntroductionLeucocyte telomere length (LTL) is linked to accelerate aging and premature mortality. In this research, we aimed to explore the relations between biochemical and anthropometry markers and LTL in Asian...

Comparisons of summer break effect on anthropometric profile, body composition and somatotype between adolescent swimmers and less active adolescents

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare changes in anthropometric profile, body composition, and somatotype of adolescent swimmers and less active adolescents.
 Method: We selected 16 swimmers and 8 less active adolescents. The swimmers were divided based on the amount of swimming activity performed per week. A longitudinal study with repeated measures was carried out. The anthropometric profile, body composition, and somatotype were assessed before and after the summer break from swimming activity.
 Results: Both groups of swimmers showed more changes in anthropometric profile, body composition, and somatotype than the less active adolescents. The very active swimmers showed a higher increase in the sum of the two central skinfolds than peripheral ones (p = 0.018). Both groups of swimmers had a great increase of the percent change in the sum of the two central skinfolds (medium active swimmers: p = 0.006, medium effect size = 0.72; very active swimmers: p = 0.001, medium effect size = 0.64).
 Conclusions: The fat component seems to be more variable than the muscular and bone component during 55 – 65 days of summer break from swimming activity. The two groups of swimmers showed a preferential accumulation of central fat after the summer break compared to the less active adolescents. The suprailiac and abdominal skinfolds could be used as early predictive measurements to assess changes in body fat.

Medidas de localização da gordura corporal: uma avaliação da colinearidade com massa corporal, adiposidade e estatura em adolescentes do sexo feminino

ObjectiveTo verify the correlation between body fat location measurements with the body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (%BF) and stature, according to the nutritional status in female adolescents. MethodsA controlled cross sectional study was carried out with 113 adolescents (G1: 38 eutrophic, but with high body fat level, G2: 40 eutrophic and G3: 35 overweight) from public schools in Viçosa‐MG, Brazil. The following measures have been assessed: weight, stature, waist circumference (WC), umbilical circumference (UC), hip circumference (HC), thigh circumference, waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR), waist‐to‐stature ratio (WSR), waist‐to‐thigh ratio (WTR), conicity index (CI), sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), coronal diameter (CD), central skinfolds (CS) and peripheral (PS). The %BF was assessed by tetrapolar electric bioimpedance. ResultsThe increase of central fat, represented by WC, UC, WSR, SAD, CD and CS, and the increase of peripheral fat indicated by HC and thigh were proportional to the increase of BMI and %BF. WC and especially the UC showed the strongest correlations with adiposity. Weak correlation between WHR, WTR, CI and CS/PS with adiposity were observed. The stature showed correlation with almost all the fat location measures, being regular or weak with waist. ConclusionsThe results indicate colinearity between body mass and total adiposity with central and peripheral adipose tissue. We recommend the use of UC for assessing nutritional status of adolescents, because it showed the highest ability to predict adiposity in each group, and also presented regular or weak correlation with stature.

Changes in total and central adiposity and body fat distribution among 7-10-year-old schoolchildren in Brazil.

To describe changes in total and central adiposity and body fat distribution in children over a 5-year period by investigating variations in BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and skinfold thicknesses (SFT). A school-based sample of children from 2nd to 5th grades of elementary schools participated in two cross-sectional studies in 2002 (n 2936) and 2007 (n 1232). Public and private schools of Florianopolis, Brazil. Schoolchildren aged 7-10 years had their weight, height, WC and SFT measured according to standard procedures. Body fat distribution was assessed by triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and medial calf skinfold measurements. Changes in BMI, WC, WHtR and SFT were analysed, adjusting for type of school and monthly family income. Adjusted mean differences between 2002 and 2007 for BMI and WC were always positive and of similar magnitude between boys and girls. However, a statistically significant increase was observed only for BMI (raw and Z-score values) in boys. WHtR remained stable in both sexes. Adjusted median values for SFT also increased in boys and girls, except for triceps skinfold. BMI, WC and SFT tended to increase across age classes in both sexes. The relative change observed for the median central skinfolds (subscapular and suprailiac) was greater than that of peripheral skinfolds (triceps and medial calf). The subcutaneous adipose tissue (SFT) appeared to increase at a faster rate than total adiposity (BMI). The increase in central SFT indicates that the relative change is due primarily to a rise in central adiposity.

Weight Loss Management through Exercise Based on Guideline Recommendation: A Case Series from SRF-YMCA Study

In order to preserve and improve the health status of individuals, we proposed the study project SRF-YMCA (Surveillance of Risk Factors for chronic diseases in YMCA members). Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the weight loss management through exercise based on ACSM/AHA guideline recommendation. We randomly evaluated 30 subjects (15 men and 15 women, aged between 26 and 48 years) from SFR-YMCA, performing a case series study. The exercise prescription was based on the ACSM/AHA current recommendations for health-related to physical activity. The outcomes studied were: total body mass (kg), body mass index (kg/m²), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference (cm), sum of peripheral skinfolds (mm), and sum of central skinfolds (mm), body fat percentage (%), total fatness (kg) and lean mass (kg). The reassessment was conducted at six months after the beginning of exercise. To examine the responsiveness to the exercise, we estimated absolute and relative deltas values. For the statistical analysis, we used the Shapiro-Wilk test, Student t test, Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney U Test (p ≤ 0.05). The exercise based on the ACSM/AHA guideline recommendation for weight loss management was effective. Significant changes and tendencies to improvements occurred in components of body composition (e.g. fat reduction, lean mass increase) for both genders. In addition, it was found that men generally have better responsiveness than women do.

Modifications of adiposity in school-age children according to the nutritional status: a 20-year analysis

To analyze adiposity changes in school-age children over a 20 year-period, according to nutritional status. The study is part of the Ilhabela Longitudinal Mixed Project on Growth, Development and Physical Fitness. A sample of 1,095 school students of both sexes, from 7 to 10 years, met the following inclusion criteria: (a) at least one complete assessment in one of the analyzed periods; (b) to be in prepubertal stage of sexual maturation; (c) to be apparently healthy. The periods analyzed were 1990/1991 (initial), 2000/2001 (10 years) and 2010/2011 (20 years). The variables analyzed were: body weight, height and adiposity through individual analysis of each skinfold. Children were classified as eutrophic, overweight and obese, according to the curves of body mass index for age and sex proposed by the World Health Organization. The statistical analysis used was one-way ANOVA, followed by Scheffé's post-hoc test, with p < 0.01. In boys, the largest increase occurred in the overweight group, followed by the obese and eutrophic groups. In girls, the largest increases occurred in the groups with overweight and eutrophic children, followed by the obese group. During the 20-year period analyzed, there were changes in adiposity, even when the nutritional status was controlled, showing that individuals who have similar body mass indexes may vary in proportion and distribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue. In both sexes, the increase was higher in the overweight group, and mainly in central skinfolds.

Superiority of skinfold measurements and waist over waist-to-hip ratio for determination of body fat distribution in a population-based cohort of Caucasian Dutch adults

To determine which anthropometric measurement is the most reliable alternative for fat distribution as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Population-based survey carried out in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. A total of 376 individuals (200 women) with a mean age of 36.5 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 24.0 (+/-3.1) kg/m2 underwent various anthropometric and DXA measurements of central (CFM) and peripheral fat mass (PFM). Furthermore, for the assessment of apple-shaped body composition, CFM-to-PFM ratio was calculated. Anthropometric measurements were waist and hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), BMI, waist/length and the skinfold thickness of biceps, triceps, suprailiacal (SI), subscapular (SS) and upper leg. We determined whether equations of combined anthropometrics were even more reliable for the assessment of fat mass. In both women and men, reliable alternatives for CFM are central skinfolds and waist (Pearson's correlation (r) >or= 0.8). Peripheral skinfolds are the best predictors of PFM (r >or= 0.8). In contrast, WHR correlated only marginally with any of the DXA measurements. Equations based on several anthropometric variables correlate with CFM even better (R2 >or= 0.8). CFM-to-PFM ratio has the highest correlation with the ratio (SS+SI)/BMI in women (r = 0.66) and waist/length in men (r = 0.71). Equations are reasonable alternatives of CFM-to-PFM ratio (R2 >or= 0.5). Waist and skinfolds are reliable alternatives for the measurement of body fat mass in a cohort of Caucasian adults. WHR is not appropriate for the measurement of fat distribution.

P0059 PP SUBCUTANEOUS FAT DISTRIBUTION IN PRETERM AND TERM NEWBORNS

Introduction: Assessment of subcutaneous fat tissue by skinfold thickness (ST) is a fast and noninvasive method that has shown good correlation with the amount of fat mass in newborns (1). A better knowledge of neonatal body mass composition could aid us to find relationships between perinatal body fatness and early infant outcome or later development of metabolic diseases. The aim of the study is to describe the normal pattern and distribution of subcutaneous fat assessed at birth, in term and pre-term newborn infants, and to analyze their gestational age and gender related variations. Methods: Data were obtained from 4634 singleton neonates, 2445 males and 2189 females, born in the University Clinical Hospital ‘Lozano Blesa’, Zaragoza (Spain), with a gestational age from 32 to 41 weeks. Infants from minority ethnical groups or with alterations that could affect body composition were excluded. Weight, length and ST (triceps, biceps, subscapular and suprailiac) were measured using standardized methodology (2). The sum of the four skinfolds (SS) (mm) and various ratios were calculated: central to total skinfold ratio (%) (CTS) [CTS = (tricepsST+bicepsST)/SS ×100], the sum of the four skinfolds per weight unit (SS/weight) and central skinfolds per weight unit [(tricepsST+bicepsST)/Weight]. Results: Skinfold thicknesses were greater in females than in males, particularly from 38 weeks. Females also had bigger values of CTS than males in every gestational age, and differences were significant from 35 week. All subcutaneous fat variables and ratios analyzed in this study significantly increased (each of ST, SS) or decreased (SS/weight, (tricepsST+bicepsST)/Weight) with gestational age (p<0.0001); except for CTS which did not show variations throughout the gestational period. Conclusion: Term and preterm female infants have more amount and a more centralized pattern of subcutaneous body fat than males. ST measurements increase with gestational age but CTS does not vary significantly from 32 to 41 weeks, neither in male nor in female newborns. Therefore, CTS must be considered as an index of centripetal fat store that is not gestational age dependent.

Muscle power increases after resistance training in growth-hormone-deficient adults.

To measure the effects of a resistance training (RT) program over muscle function and body composition of adults with GH deficiency without replacement. 11 GH-deficient patients (39 +/- 11 yr) were evaluated in four occasions (two pretraining and at 6 and 12-wk of training). We performed anthropometric measurements and physical tests. Muscle power was measured by a specific tensiometer (Fitro, Bratislava, Slovakia) in five different exercises: seated chest press, rear lat pull-down, knee extension, standing upright row, and triceps press down. Muscle endurance was assessed by maximum number of sit-ups and maximum static strength by measurement with a handgrip dynamometer. A 12-wk home-based RT program was individually prescribed and consisted of 13 exercises, performed each other day, using simple material. No significant differences occurred in body weight or limb circumferences ( > 0.05), although the sum of central skinfolds decreased with RT (111 +/- 9 vs 100 +/- 9 mm; < 0.05). RT induced significant gains in four of five exercises: rear lat pull-down (141 +/- 19 vs 198 +/- 20 W), standing upright row (134 +/- 22 vs 157 +/- 24 W), triceps press down (85 +/- 14 vs 123 +/- 21 W), and seated chest press (114 +/- 20 vs 143 +/- 21 W; < 0.05). Sit-up results also showed significant improvements, while handgrip did not ( > 0.05). GH-deficient adults without GH replacement may improve their maximum muscle power when submitted to an individualized, simple, and short home-based RT program. Considering that limb girths did not significantly change, the gains were most likely due to improvements in neuromuscular components.

Visceral fat in prepubertal children: Influence of obesity, anthropometry, ethnicity, gender, diet, and growth.

Visceral fat, or intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) lies deep within the abdominal cavity and can only be directly quantified with imaging techniques. IAAT has been detected in children as young as 5 years of age. IAAT generally increases in proportion with general fatness, but the relationship between IAAT and total body fat is complex; in children, a major portion of the variance in IAAT is independent of total body fat. The waist-to-hip ratio and the trunk:extremity skinfold ratio are not good indices of IAAT in children, and central skinfolds and waist circumference alone are highly correlated with IAAT as well as subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (r = 0.85-0.92). African-American children have less IAAT than Caucasian children, and gender differences in IAAT become more apparent after adolescence. Preliminary evidence in children suggests that IAAT may have a stronger influence on cardiovascular risk factors than dietary fat intake. Preliminary evidence in children also suggests that acquisition of IAAT during growth is a linear process that occurs in proportion to general increases in body fat. The study of the regulation of IAAT acquisition during childhood development and its relationship with long-term disease risk is in its early infancy and further studies are required. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 11:201-207, 1999. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Fat distribution and plasma lipid-lipoprotein concentrations in pre- and postmenopausal women.

In the postmenopausal years, women develop a central pattern of fat distribution and an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The possibility that these events are related has not been extensively investigated. The object of the present study was to test the hypotheses that, 1) menopause-related differences in lipids are associated with greater estimated intra-abdominal adiposity, and 2) the relationship between individual adipose depots and plasma lipids differs with menopausal status. Cross-sectional. 141 healthy pre- and postmenopausal women aged 35-65 y. Total body fat by hydrodensitometry was used as an index of whole-body adiposity, the sum of five central skinfold measurements as an index of subcutaneous upper-body adiposity, and estimated intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAF) as an index of visceral adiposity. Fasting plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (total-C), high- and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, LDL-C), and triglycerides were used as indices of CVD risk. Postmenopausal women had greater total body fat (P < 0.001), summed central skinfolds (P < 0.01), estimated IAF (P < 0.001), higher plasma concentrations of total-C (P < 0.001), LDL-C (P < 0.001) and triglycerides (P < 0.001), than premenopausal women. The relationship between central skinfolds and LDL-C differed with menopausal status, being significant in pre- but not postmenopausal women. Adjustment for estimated IAF with analysis of covariance decreased menopause-related differences in levels of total-C, LDL-C and triglycerides by approx 40-70%. These observations suggest that, 1) menopause-related changes in IAF may adversely affect the plasma lipid profile, and 2) menopausal status affects the relationship between central subcutaneous fat and LDL-C. Studies with measured IAF are needed to confirm present results.

Involuntary weight loss in older outpatients: incidence and clinical significance.

To describe the incidence, anthropometric parameters, and clinical significance of weight loss in older outpatients. Four-year prospective cohort study. University-affiliated Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Two hundred forty-seven community-dwelling male veterans 65 years of age or older. Anthropometrics (weight, height, skin-folds, and circumferences), health status measures (Sickness Impact Profile scores, health care utilization, self-reported ratings of health), and bloodwork (cholesterol, albumin, others) were obtained at baseline and followed annually for 2 years. Outcome measures (hospitalization, nursing home placement, and mortality rates) were followed for a minimum of 2 years after any identified weight change. The mean annual percentage weight change for the study population was -0.5% (SD: +/- 4.0%; range: -17% to +25%). Four percent annual weight loss was determined to be the optimal cutpoint for defining clinically important involuntary weight loss using ROC curve analysis. The annual incidence of this degree of involuntary weight loss was 13.1%. At baseline, involuntary weight losers were similar to nonweight losers in age (73.9 +/- 7.9 vs 73.3 +/- 6.7 years), body mass index (26.8 +/- 3.9 vs 26.9 +/- 4.1 kg/m2), and all other anthropometric, health status, and laboratory measures. Relative to nonweight losers, involuntary weight losers had significantly (P < or = .05) greater decrements in central skinfold and circumference measures (subscapular skinfolds, -2.9 vs -0.4 mm; suprailiac skinfolds, -4.2 vs -0.2 mm; and waist to hip ratio, -.01 vs + .00). Both groups had significant decreases in their triceps skinfolds (an estimate of peripheral subcutaneous fat), whereas arm muscle area and albumin levels did not decline significantly in either group. Over a 2-year follow-up period, mortality rates were substantially higher (RR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.34-4.41) among involuntary weight losers (28%) than among nonweight losers (11%). Of interest, a similar increase in 2-year mortality (36%) was also observed among subjects with voluntary weight loss (by dieting). Survival analyses adjusting for differences between weight losers and nonweight losers in baseline age, BMI, tobacco use, and other health status and laboratory measures yielded similar results. These results indicate that involuntary weight loss occurred frequently (13.1% annual incidence) in this population of older veteran outpatients. When involuntary weight loss occurred, the predominant anthropometric changes were decrements in measures of centrally distributed fat (trunkal skinfolds and circumferences). Finally, involuntary weight loss greater than 4% of body weight appears to be clinically important as an independent predictor of increased mortality.

Blood Pressure, Fitness, and Fatness in 5- and 6-Year-Old Children

Cross-sectional relations among blood pressure (BP), aerobic fitness, body fatness, and fat patterning were studied in 216 primarily Hispanic inner-city 5- and 6-year-olds. Fitness was measured with a submaximal treadmill test, and fatness was measured with five skin folds. Diastolic BP was inversely related to fitness in the boys and girls, and positively related to fatness for the boys. Systolic BP was positively related to fatness for the boys and girls. Using multiple regression and including parental BPs, fatness explained significant proportions of the variance in systolic BP for both the boys and girls and in diastolic BP for the boys. There were tendencies for central skin folds to explain more of the variation in BP than peripheral skin folds only for the boys. Fitness and fatness were inversely related for the boys and girls. Thus, at 5 and 6 years of age children exhibit some of the same risk factors for cardiovascular disease seen in adults.