Subcutaneous Fat Distribution Research Articles

단층촬영법에 의한 한국 성인의 성별, 연령 그리고 과체중 분류에 따른 복부부위의 체지방 분포의 차이

This study was performed to compared of subcutaneous and visceral fat distribution according to sex, age and overweight. The subjects were composed of 234(male:114, female：120) Korean adult men and women who were 20-81 years old. Abdominal fat depots were evaluated by computed tomography at one abdominal level. The population sample was categorized according to sex, age( age intervals : 20-39, 40-59, 60 more yr) and body mass index(BMI≤26 and BMI〉26.1; weight/hight2). The results were as follows： 1. Total fat and visceral fat area at abdominal level increased with aging in both male and female group. However Subcutaneous fat area decreased during aging in male group, and increased in female group. 2. 20-39 yr age group had higher subcutaneous fat area than the other groups, However Over the age of 60 had higher visceral fat area than the other groups in both male and female group. 3. The rate of S:V at abdominal level decreased during aging in both male and female. 4. Visceral fat area at abdominal level increased with aging in both male and female group by BMI26.1, However Subcutaneous fat area was no difference among three group in female, and increased during aging in male. 5. Subcutaneous fat and visceral fat area at abdominal level increased during aging in both male and female group by BMI≥26.

Continuing medical education article—facial aesthetic surgery

Learning objectives The reader is presumed to have a broad understanding of the anatomy of the anterior midface. After reading this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Identify the topographical component signs of aging of the anterior midface. 2. Explain the mechanisms of ptosis affecting these components. 3. Practice the vertical and superolateral repositioning of the malar fat pad. Physicians may earn 1 hour of Category 1 CME credit by successfully completing the examination on the basis of material covered in this article. The examination begins on page 257. Background We have previously described a technique of anterior midface soft tissue repositioning using 2 cable sutures directed only in a superolateral direction. This technique achieves a more normal distribution of subcutaneous fat laterally over the malar bag prominence but does little to overcome central and medial hollowness in the palpebromalar and tear-trough areas. Objective We describe an alteration of our original technique that introduces a vertical lift of the anterior midface soft tissue utilizing Gore-Tex, (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) cable sutures while elevating the preperiosteal soft tissue. Methods We used a transconjunctival approach to expose the postseptal fat, orbital rim, and arcus marginalis. Subperiosteal dissection over the orbital rim was performed to prepare a pocket for the malar fat pads. Using 6.5-cm Keith needles, we placed a braided suture medially, lateral to the location of the infraorbital nerve and foramen, and maneuvered it through the soft tissue until all signs of dimpling at the nasolabial line or upward distortion of the upper lip were removed. A Gore-Tex graft was introduced and seated in a cupped configuration that anchored the caudal fat pad at the nasolabial line. The medial fat pad and vascular pedicle were transposed over the orbital rim into the predissected pocket; the central fat pad was also fashioned into a pedicle and moved into its pocket. The Gore-Tex sutures were tightened, elevating the supraperiosteal soft tissue vertically. A second set of Gore-Tex sutures elevated the anterior midface soft tissue toward the deep temporal fascia. Results Between 1999 and 2002, 197 patients underwent bidirectional anterior midface lift with Gore-Tex sutures, combined with ancillary procedures. Use of the Gore-Tex cable sutures enabled improvement in the periorbitum, midcheek, and neck, as well as a more harmonious facial appearance in all patients, with few complications. Conclusions The bidirectional cable-suture technique is simple, effective, and safe. It provides secure fixation and filling of the nasojugal hollow and improvement of the malar eminence. It is less effective in the periorbitum and does not seem to correct the recalcitrant nasolabial fold.

Distribution of tissues in carcasses at the same proportion of total fat in Portuguese cattle breeds

A comparison was made of the distribution of bone, muscle, subcutaneous fat and intermuscular fat (g of tissue in the joint per kg of the respective tissue in the carcass) at the same pro- portion of total carcass fat for a total of 165 animals from three large (Alentejana (n = 24); Mirandesa (n = 24); Marinhoa (n = 24)), and four small, (Arouquesa (n = 24); Barrosa (n = 23); Maronesa (n = 24) and Mertolenga (n = 22)) Portuguese breeds, serially slaughtered at three different weights. The distribution of muscle was significantly different across breeds in a larger number of joints than either the distribution of bone, subcutaneous fat or intermuscular fat. However, the range of differ- ences in each joint was narrower for muscle. So, amongst the first class joints (leg, sirloin, ribs and fore ribs), only the sirloin and the fore ribs, both with a range across breeds of only 7 g·kg -1 ,w ere sig- nificantly different between breeds. On the contrary to subcutaneous fat, the proportions of intermuscular fat tend to decrease, particularly in the leg. As expected, the joints with homogeneous parameters were the most accurate for predicting the proportion of muscle (g·kg -1 ) in the carcass from the proportion of muscle (g·kg -1 ) in the joint. For the large breeds, the most accurate joints were the leg and the coast, with a residual s.d. of 13.91 g·kg -1 and 18.45 g·kg -1 , respectively; and for the small breeds the most accurate joints were the fore ribs and the leg, with a residual s.d. of 15.35 g·kg -1 and 17.11 g·kg -1 , respectively. The difference between the actual breed means and the means predicted using the overall equation for each of the most accurate joints were lower than ± 4 g·kg -1 for all breeds with the exception of the Barrosa with a value of -8 g·kg -1 .

Birth weight, adult body composition, and subcutaneous fat distribution.

To investigate if birth weight is related to both body mass index (BMI) and distribution of subcutaneous fat at adult age. A 9-year longitudinal study was performed in 229 subjects (192 women) with ages ranging from 27 to 36 years. Birth weight was retrieved by a questionnaire, and adult weight, height, skinfold thicknesses, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were repeatedly measured at mean ages 27, 29, 31, and 36 years. BMI, sum of four skinfolds (S4S), the ratio between two truncal skinfolds and S4S (SS/S4S), and the ratio between WHR and the cross-sectional area of the left thigh were calculated with the available data. The adjusted model showed that in women, birth weight was significantly negatively related to adult S4S [beta = -5.211; (-9.768 to -0.654)], waist circumference [beta = -1.449; (-2.829 to -0.069)], and SS/S4S ratio [beta = -3.579; (-5.296 to -1.862)]. In men, a significant negative association was observed between birth weight and adult WHR [beta = -1.096; (-2.092 to -0.100)] only. Other relationships showed, although not significantly, the same negative trend, namely that lower birth weight is related to higher adult body fat mass (S4S) and a more truncal subcutaneous fat distribution (SS/S4S). No associations were found between birth weight and either adult BMI or the cross-sectional area of the thigh. Lower birth weight is, in both adult men and women, related to a higher adult subcutaneous fat mass and a more truncal distribution of subcutaneous fat, indicating a higher risk for obesity.

Racial differences in subcutaneous and visceral fat distribution in postmenopausal black and white women

Most studies examining racial disparities in abdominal fat distribution have focused on premenopausal women. The purpose of this report was to determine if racial differences exist in the abdominal fat distribution in postmenopausal white and black women. Fifty-four women (33 white and 21 black) were scanned by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine abdominal fat distribution, were measured by hydrostatic weighing for percent body fat, and had their fasting blood lipids, glucose, and insulin levels measured. These women were matched for age (mean age, 53.5 ± 0.9 years) and percent body fat (black: 39.6% ± 2.3%, white: 37.3% ± 1.2%). When adjusted for total body fat mass and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), total abdominal fat (white: 10,352.1 ± 535.2, black: 11,220.4 ± 670.1 cm3) was not statistically different between groups, but the visceral fat content was significantly higher in the white women (white: 2,943.5 ± 220.4, black: 2,332.6 ± 176.1 cm3). The percent visceral fat was also higher in these women (white: 30.5% ± 1.3%, black: 22.1% ± 1.6%, P <.01). Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) was significantly higher in the black women (white: 7,408.6 ± 450.2, black: 8,887 ± 563.1 cm3, P <.05). No significant differences were found in the insulin concentrations or the blood lipid profile of these women. Regardless of race, visceral fat was a significant predictor of log triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), cholesterol/LDL-C, insulin levels, and insulin resistance. Race was only found to contribute to 8% of the variability of LDL-C. HRT use had no effect on abdominal fat distribution or the blood lipid profile in this cohort of women. In conclusion, disparities in abdominal fat distribution between black and white women continue to exist in the early postmenopausal years, and the regression results indicate that the absolute amount of visceral fat, and not the relative amounts of visceral fat, is the best predictor of the blood lipid profile and insulin sensitivity. HRT use did not result in differences in abdominal fat distribution in these women. Factors, such as genetics and lifestyle, must play a larger role in explaining the increased health risk in black women. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

Adiposity, adipose tissue distribution and mortality rates in the Canada Fitness Survey follow-up study.

To compare mortality rates across indicators of adiposity and relative adipose tissue distribution in the Canadian population. The sample included 10,323 adult participants 20-69 y of age from the Canada Fitness Survey who were monitored for all-cause mortality over 13 y. BMI, waist circumference (WC) and the sum of five skinfolds (SF5) were indicators of adiposity, and the first principal component of skinfold residuals (PC1) represented subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution. Proportional hazards regression was used to estimate relative mortality risk from mortality rates across levels of adiposity and adipose tissue distribution, controlling for the confounding effects of age, smoking status and alcohol consumption. :Significant curvilinear (J-shaped) relationships in men and linear relationships in women were observed between BMI, WC and SF5 and all-cause mortality rates. PC1 was not related to mortality rates in either men or women. In women, the inclusion of the other indicators of adiposity and adipose tissue distribution did not significantly add to the prediction of mortality rates beyond BMI; however, combinations of BMI and both WC and SF5 produced significant models in men. The results support the hypothesis that overall level of adiposity is an important predictor of all-cause mortality, more so than the relative distribution of subcutaneous body fat, once overall level of body fatness has been accounted for.

Current concepts in aesthetic endocrinology

The extragenital effects of ovarian steroids are relevant to the metabolism of skin and hair, the changes in body composition and the alterations of the subcutaneous fat distribution throughout life. Whenovarian steroids become deficient or are produced in excess, different problems may arise in these tissues and some of these problems, i.e., obesity and cellulite, display gender-specific components. Therefore,a new field in endocrine research known as aesthetic endocrinology is gaining more interest. Because sex steroids are small molecules they can be transported into the skin by topical application when properlyformulated. This possibility is used in aesthetic endocrinology in order to achieve local effects but to avoid systemic reactions. After reviewing the current data it collectively seems legitimate to recommendestrogens, either orally or topically, in order to counteract the aging of the skin after menopause. Although a reconstitution of juvenile skin cannot be achieved through this method, a slowing in the skinaging process seems a reasonable expectation. In contrast, the successful treatment of hair loss in women is only confirmed for the application of the non-hormonal compound minoxidil. Apart from the difficultproblem of hirsutism, acne and changes in body composition offer promising therapeutical options for endocrinological methods.

Age-related changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue of adolescent distance runners and association with blood lipoproteins

Primary objective : The purpose of this study was to examine age- and sex-associated variation in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and its association with blood lipoproteins among adolescent distance runners. Methods : Serial data included 99 annual measurements for 27 males and 84 annual measurements for 27 females, aged 9-18 years. SAT was expressed as the sum of six skinfolds (SUM6; subscapular, supra-iliac, abdominal, triceps, biceps and medial calf). The ratio of the sum of three trunk skinfolds to the sum of three extremity skinfolds (TER) was used an index of relative subcutaneous fat distribution. Total blood cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were determined by standard procedures. Results : Age- and sex-associated variation in SAT of adolescents engaged in regular endurance training is similar to trends observed in the general population of youths, although SUM6 is less. An increase in SUM6, rather than the TER, is significantly associated with an increase in LDL-C, TG and TC:HDL in adolescent males, and a decline in HDL-C and an increase in TG in females. Conclusions : This study demonstrates the differential effects of gender on the pubertal development of SAT and blood lipoproteins in young distance runners and highlights the need to explore the interactions among sexual maturation, fatness, fat distribution, exercise training, and blood lipoproteins during adolescence.

Overweight, obesity and skinfold thicknesses of children of African or Indian descent in Trinidad and Tobago

To evaluate distribution of body mass index (BMI) and subcutaneous fat in children of African or Indian subcontinent descent living in Trinidad and Tobago. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in a nationally representative sample of 66 government schools. Measurements were made of children's heights, weights, triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses. Data were analysed by sex and ethnic group and comparison was made with international standards for overweight and obesity and with British (1990) reference curves for BMI. Data were analysed for 5688/6731 (85%) eligible children including 1934 Afro-Trinidadian, 1689 Indo-Trinidadian, and 1794 of mixed ethnicity. Afro-Trinidadian and mixed children were taller, but Indo-Trinidadian children were shorter than reference. Values for BMI were lower than reference: mean standard deviation score (SDS), (95% confidence interval) Afro-Trinidadian -0.34 (-0.39 to -0.28), Indo-Trinidadian -1.32 (-1.39 to -1.25), mixed -0.67 (-0.74 to -0.61). Overall 486 (8.5%, 7.8 to 9.3%) of children were overweight and 138 (2.4%, 2.0 to 2.9%) were obese. Triceps skinfold thickness values were lower than reference (-0.45, -0.48 to -0.42 SDS) but subscapular skinfold thicknesses were higher (0.45, 0.43 to 0.47 SDS). Higher BMI were associated with higher BMI in the child's parents, higher reported birthweight, older age of the child's mother, smaller family size, and with higher maternal educational attainment. Overweight was prevalent and distribution of subcutaneous fat was central. Work is needed to determine whether these findings are associated with adult patterns of fat distribution and metabolic abnormalities.

Orthogonal factor coefficient development of subcutaneous adipose tissue topography (SAT‐Top) in girls and boys

The new optical device Lipometer allows noninvasive, quick, and safe determination of the thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) layers (in mm) at any site of the human body. The specification of 15 evenly distributed body sites enables the precise measurement of subcutaneous body fat distribution, so-called subcutaneous adipose tissue topography (SAT-Top). SAT-Top was measured in 980 children aged 7-19 years. In this paper we describe the degree to which SAT-Top body sites are intercorrelated. We consider whether a meaningful reduction of data is possible using factor analysis, which factors can be extracted, and how SAT-Top data of children can be added to a factor value plot, depicting the essential results of age-dependent subcutaneous fat development. SAT layers situated on the same body area provide correlation coefficients up to +r = 0.91. Two factors are extracted: factor 1, containing all upper body sites (from neck to hip); and factor 2, consisting of all leg body sites. When all 980 children are divided into three age groups in a factor value plot, the first age group (7-11 years) shows almost equal SAT-Top development in boys and girls. Afterwards, for the consecutive age groups 2 (11-15 years) and 3 (15-19 years), the age-dependent subcutaneous fat development of boys and girls progresses into nearly orthogonal directions.

Rejuvenation of the aging neck.

Patients seeking rejuvenation of the face are influenced by youthful faces commonly seen in the media and entertainment world. Although standards of beauty evolve over time, classical facial features such as symmetry, high cheek bones, and an angular jaw-neck line remain as ideals. As the human face ages, a relatively consistent series of anatomic events occurs. Although the rate of change varies from person to person, the process of facial aging is predictable. This process involves a loss of tone of the elastic fibers of the face, resulting in sagging of the skin and soft tissues of the face and neck. Additionally, aging of the lower face often includes ptosis of the soft tissues of the chin and banding or cording of the muscles of the anterior neck. Aesthetic rejuvenation of the face and neck involves repositioning of poorly supported soft tissues. To accurately treat facial aging, an individualized diagnosis and anatomically based problem list is compiled. This should include analysis of the skin quality, bone structure, amount and distribution of subcutaneous fat, and relationship of the superficial muscles to the overlying skin. After a detailed diagnosis is made, a surgical treatment plan is outlined to improve the face and restore a youthful appearance. This article describes the applied anatomy associated with facial aging and explains the author's specific techniques to obtain a natural postoperative appearance. Avoidance of common problems associated with aging face surgery is emphasized.

Relationship between stunting in infancy and growth and fat distribution during adolescence in Senegalese girls.

To study the long-term impact of stunting during infancy on maturation, growth and fat distribution in adolescence. A cohort of 406 Senegalese adolescent girls of rural origin underwent clinical and growth assessments every year from 1995 to 1999. Mean coverage rate was 82% at each round. Adolescent girls were 11.4+/-0.5 y of age in 1995 and 15.5+/-0.5 y of age in 1999. Their growth status during infancy was known. About 20% of the girls had a height-age (H-age) below -2 Z-scores (chronic malnutrition or stunting) when they were 6-18 months of age. As adolescents, the girls were divided into two groups on the basis of H-age: those stunted and those non-stunted during infancy. Sexual maturation was assessed by stage of breast development and menarche. Height, body mass, sitting height, bi-iliac and bi-acromial diameters, and six skinfolds were measured. Differences in sexual maturation between previously stunted and non-stunted girls were not significant. Girls stunted at infancy caught up in body weight and subcutaneous fat mass during puberty, but they did not catch up on stature, sitting height or skeletal breadths (bi-acromial and bi-iliac diameters) until the final observation in 1999. Stunted girls did not have less subcutaneous fat (sum of six skinfolds) or a lower BMI. Regional variation in subcutaneous fat distribution (Z-score profile) indicated greater accretion at the biceps and subscapular sites in stunted compared to the non-stunted girls. Regional fat distribution was also assessed by principal component analysis (PCA) performed on the residuals of the six skinfolds measured during the final round (1999). PCA identified three components. Stunted and non-stunted girls were similar for the first (trunk-extremity contrast) and second (anterior-posterior contrast) components. However, there was a difference for the third component: stunted girls tended to accumulate more subcutaneous fat on the upper part of the body (trunk or arms) than non-stunted girls. Stunted Senegalese girls have a potential for catching up in growth during puberty. The greater accumulation of subcutaneous fat on the upper body in stunted girls may be a consequence of complex hormonal adjustments at the onset of puberty.

A broad spectrum of clinical presentations in congenital disorders of glycosylation I: a series of 26 cases

INTRODUCTIONCongenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), or carbohydrate deficient glycoprotein syndromes, form a new group of multisystem disorders characterised by defective glycoprotein biosynthesis, ascribed to various biochemical mechanisms.METHODSWe report the clinical,...

Assessment of abdominal fat development in young adolescents using magnetic resonance imaging.

To determine the patterns of change and the best anthropometric indicators of intra-abdominal fat deposition in young adolescents from ages 11-13 y. Subjects were 25 boys (mean age 13.7 +/- 0.32 y) and 17 girls (mean age of 13.7 +/- 0.23 y) who had taken part in a similar study 2 y earlier at ages 11.5 +/- 0.33 y and 11.5 +/- 0.27 y, respectively. Intra-abdominal (IA) and subcutaneous adipose (SA) tissue areas and IA/SA ratio were determined through four tranverse magnetic resonance imaging scans on two occasions. Differences were investigated using t-tests and ANOVA. Skinfolds, girths and circumferences, body mass index and hydrostatic weighing were also recorded. Pearson correlation coefficients and regression equations were calculated to determine the best anthropometric indicators of intra-abdominal fat deposition. Intra-abdominal fat and subcutaneous fat areas had significantly increased in boys and girls by the second measure. Boys had deposited greater amounts of fat in intra-abdominal depots so that their intra-abdominal/subcutaneous ratio had increased significantly from 0.31 to 0.39. This had reduced in girls from 0.39 to 0.35. However, patterns of change were variable within sexes. Truncal skinfold sites (r = 0.54-0.70) emerged as the best field indicators of intra-abdominal fat deposition. Patterns of intra-abdominal and subcutaneous fat distribution are identifiable in pubescent children using magnetic resonance imaging. An acceptable indication is provided by truncal skinfolds.

Major gene effect on subcutaneous fat distribution in a sedentary population and its response to exercise training: The HERITAGE Family Study

Complex segregation analysis of baseline subcutaneous fat distribution and the change in response to exercise training (post-training minus baseline indices) was performed in a sample of 482 individuals from 99 Caucasian families who participated in the HERITAGE Family Study. The sum of skinfold (SF) thicknesses at eight sites, and the waist and hip circumferences were measured at baseline and after completing a 20-week exercise training program. The trunk-to-extremity ratio (TER) was calculated by dividing the sum of skinfold thicknesses at four trunk sites (subscapular + suprailiac + abdominal + midaxillary) by the sum of skinfold thicknesses at four extremity sites (triceps + biceps + medial calf + thigh). While SF was used to assess total subcutaneous adiposity, TER and the ratio of the waist-to-hip circumferences (WHR) were used to characterize subcutaneous fat distribution. Baseline TER and WHR were age-adjusted and age-SF-adjusted within four sex-by-generation groups. The changes of SF, TER, and WHR in response to training were adjusted for age effects alone and for the effects of age and baseline values. Baseline SF was influenced by a multifactorial component (30%) plus a major effect that may be environmental in origin accounting for 47% of the variance. Baseline TER was influenced by a multifactorial component (18%) and a major codominant gene (q2 = 0.10), which accounted for 56% of the variance. The major gene effect was independent of total subcutaneous adiposity. Baseline WHR was regulated by a major codominant gene (q2 = 0.15), which accounted for 48% of the variance. However, this major gene effect for baseline WHR should be interpreted with caution, given the estimates of the τ's under the general model. No familial effect was found for the changes in response to training for these subcutaneous adiposity and fat distribution phenotypes. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 12:600–609, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Fat distribution and health in obesity.

Although independent associations of visceral fat with the insulin resistance syndrome were previously reported in obese women, the importance of truncal subcutaneous fat in this syndrome is controversial. The method by which the various fat depots are measured may be the reason for the underlying controversy. In the past five years, we have used various methods to measure visceral versus subcutaneous fat distribution in Caucasian (C) and African-American (AA) women and have related it to insulin sensitivity (SI) and to blood lipids, particularly fasting serum triglyceride levels (TG). Elevated TG levels in obese women were best predicted by an increased amount of visceral fat, whereas the amounts of truncal and peripheral subcutaneous fat did not have an impact on them. These results were confirmed, regardless of the method used to measure the fat depots. Insulin resistance (low SI) in obese women was predicted by both an increase of visceral and of upper-body (truncal) subcutaneous fat. However, measurements of the entire visceral and truncal subcutaneous fat volumes may be needed to confirm this latter association.

Characterization of indigenous African cattle breeds in relation to carcass characteristics

AbstractCarcass traits of two indigenous African (Sanga) breeds (Afrikaner and Nguni), one indigenous African composite breed (Bonsmara), one foreign composite breed (Santa Gertrudis) and two continental European breeds (Brown Swiss and Pinzgauer) were compared. Treatment means were adjusted to the mean overall subcutaneous fat proportion (47 g/kg). Despite differences in maturity type, only the Afrikaner dressed out significantly (P &lt; 0·05) lower than the foreign breeds. Both Sanga breeds and the Bonsmara had significantly higher muscle yields than the Santa Gertrudis and Pinzgauer, mainly due to the high intermuscular fat of the latter two breeds. When muscle yield was expressed per unit of bone, the Afrikaner and Bonsmara compared favourably with the larger breeds, due to their low bone and intermuscular fat yield, while the Nguni had a relatively high bone yield. The Santa Gertrudis had the lowest muscle yield due to its high bone and intermuscular fat yields, especially when compared with the smaller Bonsmara composite. Both Sanga breeds had significantly higher (P &lt; 0·05) proportions of total weight, meat and bone (Afrikaner P &gt; 0·05) in the high-priced cuts compared with the other breeds at the same subcutaneous fat level. Despite the statistical significance, differences were small in magnitude and probably of little commercial value. At the same time mean subcutaneous fat proportion, tissue yield and distribution patterns expected of late maturing breeds were observed for smaller indigenous breeds, suggesting that it was specific breed effects rather than maturity type effects, which were evident.

Familial aggregation of amount and distribution of subcutaneous fat and their responses to exercise training in the HERITAGE family study.

Investigate the familial aggregation of amount and distribution of subcutaneous fat and their changes in response to endurance training. A total of 483 sedentary subjects from 99 nuclear families were recruited, trained for 20 weeks of exercising on cycle ergometers, and measured before and after training for the following indicators of subcutaneous fat and fat distribution: trunk fat (TRUNK = sum of abdominal, subscapular, suprailiac, and midaxillary skinfolds), extremity fat (EXTREM = sum of biceps, triceps, thigh, and calf skinfolds), subcutaneous fat (SF8 = sum of the eight skinfolds), the trunk to extremity skinfolds ratio adjusted for SF8 (TER) and waist girth adjusted for body mass index (WAIST). The familial aggregation of the age- and sex-adjusted baseline phenotypes and their responses to training (delta) after adjustment for the baseline values was investigated using a familial correlation model. Significant familial aggregation was observed for all the phenotypes measured at baseline and for deltaTRUNK and deltaWAIST. Transmissibility estimates reached about 30% to 35% for TRUNK, EXTREM, and SF8 and 50% for TER and WAIST. The transmissibilities of the response phenotypes were lower, ranging from 0% for deltaWAIST to 21% for deltaTRUNK and the pattern of familial correlations suggested a greater within- than between-generation resemblance in the response. This study suggests that the amount and distribution of subcutaneous fat strongly aggregates in families, whereas the response to exercise training is characterized by a moderate and more complex pattern of familial resemblance. We conclude that familial/genetic factors are more important in determining the amount and distribution of subcutaneous fat than their responses to exercise training.

Measurement of subcutaneous adipose tissue topography (SAT-Top) by means of a new optical device, LIPOMETER, and the evaluation of standard factor coefficients in healthy subjects.

The quantification of obesity in respect to subcutaneous adipose tissue and fat distribution is a matter of interest. We recently reported on a new optical device, LIPOMETER, and its ability to measure the thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue and its advantages compared with other methods. To describe the subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution of the human body in a precise, reproducible, and comparable manner, 15 well-defined body sites distributed from neck to calf on the right body side were used. This set of sites defines subcutaneous adipose tissue topography (SAT-Top). To visualize SAT-Top for subjects or groups, special SAT-Top plots were used. Subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution can be recognized easily with these techniques. SAT-Top of 590 healthy men and women was measured. Factor analysis was used to extract the essential information from these 590*15 intercorrelated single measurements and to provide standard factor coefficients for later applications. As an example of how to use the results of factor analysis, the strong SAT-Top deviation of women with clinically proven type-2 diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) from healthy controls is described. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 12:231-239, 2000. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Major gene effect on subcutaneous fat distribution in a sedentary population and its response to exercise training: The HERITAGE Family Study.

Complex segregation analysis of baseline subcutaneous fat distribution and the change in response to exercise training (post-training minus baseline indices) was performed in a sample of 482 individuals from 99 Caucasian families who participated in the HERITAGE Family Study. The sum of skinfold (SF) thicknesses at eight sites, and the waist and hip circumferences were measured at baseline and after completing a 20-week exercise training program. The trunk-to-extremity ratio (TER) was calculated by dividing the sum of skinfold thicknesses at four trunk sites (subscapular + suprailiac + abdominal + midaxillary) by the sum of skinfold thicknesses at four extremity sites (triceps + biceps + medial calf + thigh). While SF was used to assess total subcutaneous adiposity, TER and the ratio of the waist-to-hip circumferences (WHR) were used to characterize subcutaneous fat distribution. Baseline TER and WHR were age-adjusted and age-SF-adjusted within four sex-by-generation groups. The changes of SF, TER, and WHR in response to training were adjusted for age effects alone and for the effects of age and baseline values. Baseline SF was influenced by a multifactorial component (30%) plus a major effect that may be environmental in origin accounting for 47% of the variance. Baseline TER was influenced by a multifactorial component (18%) and a major codominant gene (q(2) = 0.10), which accounted for 56% of the variance. The major gene effect was independent of total subcutaneous adiposity. Baseline WHR was regulated by a major codominant gene (q(2) = 0.15), which accounted for 48% of the variance. However, this major gene effect for baseline WHR should be interpreted with caution, given the estimates of the tau's under the general model. No familial effect was found for the changes in response to training for these subcutaneous adiposity and fat distribution phenotypes. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 12:600-609, 2000. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.