Indices of body fat distribution in Spanish children aged 4.0 to 14.9 years.
BACKGROUND
Reference values for the main indices of body fat distribution in children are not available.


METHODS
The study population comprised 1638 Caucasian children and adolescents: 848 boys and 790 girls, with ages ranging from 4.0 to 14.9 years, and living in the central part of Spain (Provincia de Zaragoza). The waist-to-hip circumference ratio and the triceps-to-subscapular skinfold thickness ratio were measured.


RESULTS
In boys, mean waist-to-hip circumference ratio ranges from 0.834, at 13.5 years, to 0.896 at 4.5 years. In girls, waist-to-hip circumference ratio ranges from 0.756, at 14.5 years, to 0.877, at 4.5 years. We observed a decrease of waist-to-hip circumference ratio with age, especially in girls. In boys, triceps-to-subscapular skinfold thickness ratio ranges from 1.360, at age 14.5, to 1.704, at age 5.5. In girls, triceps-to-subscapular skinfold thickness ratio ranges from 1.468, at age 13.5, to 1.727, at age 9.5. We observed a decrease with age only in boys.


CONCLUSIONS
We present reference values for the main indices of body fat distribution, which could be useful in clinical practice. However, research is needed that will compare these indices with data on body fat distribution obtained by a gold standard method, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
Moreno
L A
LA
E.U. Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain.
Fleta
J
J
Mur
L
L
Feja
C
C
Sarría
A
A
Bueno
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology