湖南土家族成人的皮褶厚度和体成分分析

本项目采用人体测量法,测量了976名（男性528人,女性448人）湖南土家族成人的身高、体质量以及肱三头肌、肩胛下、髂前上和小腿内侧皮褶的厚度,并根据公式计算体密度、体脂率、脂肪质量、脂肪质量指数、瘦体质量和瘦体质量指数。结果显示随年龄增长,小腿内侧皮褶厚度值逐渐减小,肱三头肌、肩胛下和髂前上棘皮褶以及体脂率、脂肪质量、瘦体质量、体质量指数、脂肪质量指数和瘦体质量指数值先增大后减小,体密度值先减小后增大;各年龄组中体密度、瘦体质量及其指数值女性明显低于男性,4项皮褶厚度值以及体脂率、脂肪质量及其指数值女性高于男性;与布朗族等24个族群比较,湖南土家族成人皮褶厚度处于中等水平,与门巴族、珞巴族、僜人、彝族等族群的亲缘关系较近。     

Ecogeographical associations between climate and human body composition: analyses based on anthropometry and skinfolds

In the 19th century, two "ecogeographical rules" were proposed hypothesizing associations of climate with mammalian body size and proportions. Data on human body weight and relative leg length support these rules; however, it is unknown whether such associations are attributable to lean tissue (the heat-producing component) or fat (energy stores). Data on weight, height, and two skinfold thickness were obtained from the literature for 137 nonindustrialized populations, providing 145 male and 115 female individual samples. A variety of indices of adiposity and lean mass were analyzed. Preliminary analyses indicated secular increases in skinfolds in men but not women, and associations of age and height with lean mass in both sexes. Decreasing annual temperature was associated with increasing body mass index (BMI), and increasing triceps but not subscapular skinfold. After adjusting for skinfolds, decreasing temperature remained associated with increasing BMI. These results indicate that colder environments favor both greater peripheral energy stores, and greater lean mass. Contrasting results for triceps and subscapular skinfolds might be due to adaptive strategies either constraining central adiposity in cold environments to reduce cardiovascular risk, or favoring central adiposity in warmer environments to maintain energetic support of the immune system. Polynesian populations were analyzed separately and contradicted all of the climate trends, indicating support for the hypothesis that they are cold-adapted despite occupying a tropical region. It is unclear whether such associations emerge through natural selection or through trans-generational and life-course plasticity. These findings nevertheless aid understanding of the wide variability in human physique and adiposity.     

Relationship between anthropometric measures and body composition among Muslim females of West Bengal, India

The human body composition is assessed to determine percent body fat (PBF), fat mass (FM), and lean body mass or fat free mass (FFM). The topological distribution of body fat has been the subject of many studies in the world and India. To the best of our knowledge the present paper is the first report on the body composition in terms of PBF and FM, and their relationship with anthropometric measures in Muslim females in India. The present study examines anthropometric measurements and their relationship with the body composition among Muslim females of West Bengal, India. A cross-sectional study of 100 female, Muslim students of Howrah and Kolkata was undertaken to compare the relationships of biceps and triceps skinfold, waist, hip and upper arm circumference, waist hip ratio and conicity index with their body composition variables (PBF and FM). All anthropometric measures displayed significant (p < 0.05) correlation with body composition measures. The triceps skinfold, however, demonstrated a significant correlation with PBF (r = 0.90) and FM (r = 0.93). The greatest amount of variation of PBF (81.3 %) and FM (89.2 %) was explained by the triceps skinfold. In addition, a considerable amount of variation of PBF (72.8 %) and FM (86.0 %) was explained by the mid upper arm circumference. In conclusion, the present study displays a tendency of regional adiposity in the upper arm, triceps skinfold and mid upper arm circumference are much more strongly associated with body fat.     

Association between Serum Leptin Concentrations and Insulin Resistance: A Population-Based Study from China

Background

Insulin resistance contributes to the cardio-metabolic risk. The effect of leptin in obese and overweight population on insulin resistance was seldom reported.

Methods

A total of 1234 subjects (572 men and 662 women) aged ≥18 y was sampled by the procedure. Adiposity measures included BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, WHR, upper arm circumference, triceps skinfold and body fat percentage. Serum leptin concentrations were measured by an ELISA method. The homeostasis model (HOMA-IR) was applied to estimate insulin resistance.

Results

In men, BMI was the variable which was most strongly correlated with leptin, whereas triceps skinfold was most sensitive for women. More importantly, serum leptin levels among insulin resistant subjects were almost double compared to the subjects who had normal insulin sensitivity at the same level of adiposity in both men and women, after controlling for potential confounders. In addition, HOMA-IR increased significantly across leptin quintiles after adjustment for age, BMI, total energy intake, physical activity and smoking status in both men and women (p for trend <0.0001).

Conclusions

There was a significant association between HOMA-IR and serum leptin concentrations in Chinese men and women, independently of adiposity levels. This may suggest that serum leptin concentration is an important predictor of insulin resistance and other metabolic risks irrespective of obesity levels. Furthermore, leptin levels may be used to identify the cardio-metabolic risk in obese and overweight population.     

Body composition in baboons: Evaluating a morphometric method

The objective of this study was to determine whether noninvasive morphometric measurements of olive baboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis) can reliably predict lean body mass and fat mass in this species. Crown-rump length, triceps circumference, and skinfold measures at the neck, subscapular, suprailiac, and triceps sites were obtained prior to necropsy from 21 clinically normal infant baboons at 18 weeks of age and from 22 clinically normal adolescent baboons at 5 years of age. At necropsy, the lean body mass and body fat mass were measured using gravimetric methods. Pearson's correlations and regression analysis were used to test the relationship between direct measures of lean and fat mass obtained at necropsy with calculated estimates based on morphometric measures obtained prior to death. Our null hypothesis was that the morphometric measures (individually or in combination) were not related to direct measures of fat mass or lean mass. Non-linear and multiple regression estimators, by age and gender, were derived and provided increased predictability. Our results indicate that (1) morphometric measures can accurately predict lean body mass in male and female baboons; (2) morphometric measures used to predict lean body mass change with age; (3) morphometric measures are strongly associated with body fat mass at 18 weeks of age but are not as strongly associated with body fat mass in 5-year-old baboons; (4) triceps circumference provides the best single indicator of lean body mass for both genders and age periods; (5) baboons are like humans in that adolescent females tend to accumulate body fat while males of the same age tend to develop lean mass; and (6) combinations of these morphometric measurements explain between 70% and 100% of the variability and can be used to estimate lean and fat mass in baboons.     

Body composition and fat distribution among older Jat females: A rural–urban comparison

The aim of the present cross-sectional study is to describe and compare age related changes in body composition and fat patterning among rural and urban Jat females of Haryana State, India. A total of 600 females (rural = 300, urban = 300), ranging in age from 40 to 70 years were selected by the purposive sampling method. Body weight, height, two circumferences (waist and hip) and skinfold thickness at five different sites (biceps, triceps, calf, subscapular, and supra-iliac) were taken on each participant. To study total adiposity, indices such as body mass index (BMI), grand mean thickness (GMT), total body fat and percentage fat were analyzed statistically. The fat distribution pattern was studied using waist/hip ratio, subscapular/triceps ratio and responsiveness of five skinfold sites towards accumulation of fat at different sites with advancing age. Results indicate a decline in almost every dimension including level of fatness between the mid-fourth and mid-fifth decades of life in both rural and urban females. Urban Jat females were heavier (57.36 kg vs. 56.07 kg, p > 0.05) and significantly taller (1553.3 mm vs. 1534.5 mm, p < 0.001) than their rural counterparts. Urban females also exhibited higher mean values for both the circumferences, five skinfold thicknesses as well as for lean body mass, total fat and percentage fat than the rural females. This is also evident from their higher mean values for body mass index and grand mean thickness. Waist/hip ratio values in rural and urban females showed upper body fat predominance, with urban females having relatively more abdominal fat. Results of subscapular/triceps ratio showed that rural and urban females gained proportionally similar amounts of subcutaneous fat at trunk and extremity sites until 45 years of age. Subsequently trunk skinfolds increased relatively more in thickness. The magnitude of this increase was comparatively greater in rural females up to 55 years and among urban females from 55 to 70 years. The profiles of subcutaneous fat accumulation and sensitivity of each skinfold site also revealed more fat deposition in the trunk region compared to extremities in both rural and urban females. The present study demonstrated differential rates of fat redistribution among rural and urban females.     

Serum leptin levels and anthropometric correlates in Ache Amerindians of eastern Paraguay

Leptin is a recently discovered peptide hormone secreted primarily from adipocytes in humans and other mammals; it is a reflection of fat stores, and has been associated with reproductive function. However, few leptin measurements are available from nonindustrialized populations, including contemporary hunter/gatherer communities undergoing the transition to sedentary agriculture. This investigation reports single-sample serum leptin measurements in healthy Ache Amerindian males (n = 21; average age, 32.8 +/- 3.4 SE) and females (n = 12; average age, 31.3 +/- 4.3) in eastern Paraguay. Ache leptin concentrations were much lower than in industrialized populations, although significant sexual dimorphism was evident (female 5.64 ng/ml +/- 0.91 SE vs. male 1.13 ng/ml +/- 0.08; P < 0.0001). Indeed, female leptin levels were similar to those of anorexic women, despite apparently adequate adiposity. Controlling for fat percentage, no significant sex difference was evident, suggesting that adiposity was the primary source of leptin variation. Body fat percentage was highly correlated with leptin in females (r2 = 0.72; P < 0.0005) but not males, who exhibited a modest negative correlation (r2 = 0.25; P < 0.03). Weight (r2 = 0.45; P = 0.02) and BMI (kg/m2) (r2 = 0.81; P < 0.0001) were also significantly correlated in females but not males. These results suggest that: 1) clinical leptin norms based on industrialized populations may represent the highest range of human variation and may not be representative of most human populations; 2) hormonal priming may underlie population variation in leptin profiles; and 3) the relative importance of leptin as a proximate mechanism regulating reproductive effort during human evolution may have been modest.     

Validity of convenient indicators of obesity

A validation study of convenient indicators of obesity was undertaken in 540 male and female subjects, aged 7-14 yr. Four adiposity measures that have commonly accepted obesity classification points [relative weight, relative body mass index (BMI), sum of five skinfolds, and triceps skinfold] were derived from measures of height, weight, and five skinfold thickness measurements. Body density measures were converted to percentage of body fat using Lohman's (1986) age- and gender-specific regression equations. Using greater than or equal to 20% body fat for males and greater than or equal to 25% for females as the standard for obesity, the diagnostic utilities (sensitivity, specificity, overall accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values) of the four obesity indicators at their commonly used obesity cutoff points were determined. Preliminary analyses demonstrate that use of these indicators should not be considered independent of the gender of the subject or without reference to the purpose for classifying subjects as obese. Secondary analyses, in which the obesity cutoff point in each indicator was altered to obtain a minimum specificity level of 95%, demonstrated that a sum of skinfolds was better at identifying true obesity than all other indicators in both males and females. There is potential for inappropriate labeling with all convenient indicators of obesity, and thus they should be used with caution.     

Anthropometry and Body Composition of Adolescents in Cracow,Poland

Background and Objective

The aim of the present study was to determine the level of adiposity and obesity in Polish adolescents and compare the results with earlier studies conducted in this population as well as those carried out in other populations.

Methods

The study group consisted of 456 boys and 514 girls aged 14-18 years living in Cracow chosen from randomly selected secondary schools. Weight, height, waist, and hip circumference (WC, HC) as well as triceps, biceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thickness (SFT) were measured. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), subscapular/triceps skinfold ratio (STR), and percentage body fat were computed. The prevalence of overweight and obesity based on Polish children growth reference were calculated and age-dependent and gender-specific smoothed percentile curves for BMI and ROC curves were generated.

Results

Weight, height, WC, HC (up 16yr), WHtR (up 15yr), and WHR were considerably higher in males than females. Weight, height, and HC increased with age; WHtR remained the same. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 10.2% (boys 10.3%; girls 10.1%) and 4.2% (boys 5.3%; girls 3.3%). ROC analysis revealed that WHtR was the best tool for detection of obesity (AUC of 0.982±0.007) in males, whereas the sum of four SFTs (AUC: 0.968±0.011) and WHtR (AUC: 0.963±0.012) were the best predictors of obesity in females.

Conclusions

The level of adiposity in Cracow adolescents increased during the last decade. However, it is still lower than in other well-developed societies struggling with obesity epidemics.     

Subcutaneous adiposity and relative fat patterning in adult white and migrant asian males in Britain

A comparative study of subcutaneous adiposity and relative fat patterning in adult White (n=262) and migrant Indian (n=39) and Pakistani (n=100) males living in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire revealed no significant difference in the level of generalised adiposity (measured as body mass index) between the ethnic groups. However, Asians had significantly higher means for all five truncal skinfolds; for all upper body: upper extremity, upper body: lower extremity, central body: upper extremity and central body: lower extremity skinfold rations; more total subcutaneous adiposity; and significantly more subcutaneous fat in subscapular, suprailiac and abdomen regions relative to total subcutaneous fat. However, Asian men had significantly less subcutaneous fat in all the extremity sites relative to total subcutaneous adiposity and lower mean forearm subcutaneous adiposity. Discriminant analysis revealed that 80.6% of all individuals were correctly classfied, with Whites being grouped more correctly than Asians. Suprailiac/forearm and suprailiac/triceps skinfold ratios, height, weight, age, body mass index, and subscapular, midauxillary, chest and medial calf skinfolds were among the most important discriminating variables/ratios of the three ethnic groups.     

达斡尔族成人的皮褶厚度及其年龄变化

测量了456例（男216,女240例）达斡尔族成人的4项皮褶（三头肌皮褶、肩胛下皮褶、髂前上棘皮褶与腓肠肌皮褶）厚度值,分析了达斡尔族成人皮褶厚度随年龄变化的特征。研究表明：（1）男性躯干皮下脂肪厚于四肢。女性肩胛下皮褶最厚,三头肌皮褶次之。（2）女性4项皮褶厚度值高于男性。（3）男性30—44岁皮下脂肪较厚,45岁以后皮褶厚度下降。女性50岁以后肩胛下皮褶值明显下降,其余3项值在40岁以后下降。（4）男性全身皮褶厚度值多呈正相关。女性这种现象不明显。（5）达斡尔族成人皮下脂肪发育逊于北京、大连城市中的汉族,但优于宁夏农村的回族。     

Truncal and Abdominal Fat as Determinants of High Triglycerides and Low HDL‐cholesterol in Adolescents

We examined whether abdominal and truncal adiposity, assessed with simple anthropometric indices, determines serum triglycerides and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)–cholesterol levels independently of total adiposity amount in adolescents. A total of 547 Spanish adolescents (284 males and 263 females) aged 13–18.5 years were included in this study. Measures of truncal adiposity included subscapular to triceps ratio, and trunk‐to‐total skinfolds ratio (TTS%). Waist circumference was used as a surrogate of abdominal adiposity, and BMI was used as a measure of total adiposity. The results of the regression models indicated that levels of triglycerides were positively associated with waist circumference and TTS% after controlling for age and Tanner stage in both sexes. Once BMI was entered in the model, these associations remained significant for waist circumference in females. HDL‐cholesterol levels were negatively associated with waist circumference in both sexes, and with subscapular to triceps ratio and TTS% in males, after controlling for age and Tanner stage. Once BMI was entered in the model, these associations remained significant for subscapular to triceps ratio and for TTS% in males. The results of this study suggest that in male adolescents, truncal adiposity is negatively associated with levels of HDL‐cholesterol, whereas in females, abdominal adiposity is positively associated with levels of triglycerides independently of total adiposity. These findings highlight the deleterious effect of both truncal and abdominal fat depots on the lipid profile already from the first decades of life.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Leptin associations with age,weight, and sex among chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Background Leptin is a hormone secreted primarily by adipocytes, a lipostatic signal to the hypothalamus, and is often correlated with adiposity. Associations between leptin, age, and development are unknown in human’s closest evolutionary relative, the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). Methods Serum leptin was assessed cross sectionally in association with age, weight, and sex in healthy captive chimpanzee males (n = 47) and females (n = 49) to test hypotheses related to predicted differences in leptin levels with body mass, development, and sexual dimorphism. Results Leptin increased with age and weight among females, but not in males. Leptin was overall higher in females compared to males. Conclusions Sex differences in leptin were most evident during adolescence and adulthood, despite similar increases in weight in both sexes indicating that sexual maturation is a key divergence point for differential somatic investment in adiposity and leptin levels between male and female chimpanzees.     

安徽汉族成人皮褶厚度的研究

应用人体测量法对安徽滁州地区汉族694例(城市男性152例,城市女性158例,乡村男性201例,乡村女性183例)成年人进行6项皮褶(面颊、肱二头肌、肱三头肌、肩胛下、髂前上棘、小腿内侧)厚度的测量,分析了安徽汉族成人皮褶厚度值随年龄变化的特点,并与我国部分族群的皮褶厚度值进行比较。研究显示:1)安徽汉族成人皮褶发育躯干部优于四肢,背部优于腹部,面部居中,肱二头肌皮褶最薄。2)6项皮褶厚度值在性别间存在显著性差异。同年龄组比较,女性皮褶厚度值均高于男性。3)6项皮褶厚度多与年龄呈正相关。4)城乡比较,城市女性皮褶发育明显低于乡村女性,而城市男性皮褶发育多优于乡村男性。安徽汉族男、女性皮褶厚度具有蒙古人种北亚类型族群特点。     

Income, birth order, siblings, and anthropometry

The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship and effect of monthly household income, birth order, and number of siblings on adult body dimensions, adiposity index, and body composition among adult Bengali females. One hundred seventy-one adult Bengali females, age 20.35 +/- 1.51 years (mean +/- SD; range: 18-21 years) from Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) were studied. Anthropometric measures (weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, and triceps, biceps, subscapular, suprailiac, and medial calf skinfold thicknesses) were taken from all participants using standard protocols. BMI and log10 of the sum of the five skinfold thicknesses were computed subsequently. Percentage of body fat was estimated from the triceps skinfold thickness following the equation of Durnin and Womersley (1974), and fat mass was then calculated. Results of the correlation analysis revealed that monthly household income had significant (p < 0.05) positive association with all anthropometric variables. Birth order and number of siblings showed significant (p < 0.05) inverse association. The correlation of monthly household income with anthropometric variables was much stronger for number of siblings and birth order. The results of the analysis of variance showed that monthly household income, birth order, and number of siblings (tertiles used to categorize all variables) had significant effects (p < 0.05) on anthropometric variables, indicating differences in adult body dimensions, the adiposity index, and body composition in relation to income, birth order, and number of siblings.     

甘肃省会宁县高一学生皮褶厚度与体成分分析

本文抽样测量会宁地区高一学生身高、体重、肱三头肌皮褶厚度, 肩胛下皮褶厚度, 腹部皮褶厚度, 分析BMI值, 估测身体密度, 计算体成分, 目的是分析会宁高一学生皮褶厚度和体成分发育规律和特点。结果发现, 调查对象主要存在问题是体重过低, 仅有2.96%男生和8.33%的女生处于超重状态。男女生身高、体重和身体质量指数随年龄增加而增加,整体状况好于甘肃省状况而低于全国状况。调查对象三个部位皮褶厚度值男生以16岁组, 女生以15岁组为最低; 男生三个部位皮褶厚度16岁组以前均呈递减趋势, 16岁以后呈上升趋势。男女生随年龄增加16岁以前体脂含量呈下降趋势, 16岁以后逐渐成上升趋势。男生肱三头肌和肩胛下联合部位体脂含量高于肱三头肌而低于肩胛下角部位体脂含量。男生去脂体重随年龄的增加而增加, 女生去脂体重随年龄增加变化趋势不明显, 但由联合部位皮褶厚度计算出来的去脂体重均最高。调查对象皮褶厚度百分位数男生P3, P5, P10高于全国正常值, 其余低于全国正常值; 女生14岁高于全国正常值, 其余均低于全国正常值,这说明会宁高一学生目前的体脂含量不高。结论认为, 调查结果符合青春期男孩和女孩的生长发育特征, 主要存在问题是体重过低。会宁高一学生男生主要以去脂体重增长为主, 女生主要以体脂增长为主。建议加强宣传教育, 加强体育锻炼, 养成良好的饮食和生活习惯, 增加膳食热量和优良蛋白质摄取。     

Seasonal variation and sex differences in the nutritional status in two local populations of wild Japanese macaques

Seasonal variations and sex differences in the nutritional status in two local populations of wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata fuscata) were examined. It was hypothesized that the ecological condition and/or reproductive strategies of each sex determine the nutritional condition and its seasonal fluctuation in each sex. Morphometric measures such as body mass, thoracic and femoris circumferences, skinfold thickness in four places (triceps, biceps femoris, subscapular, and abdomen), and wet mass of mesenteric and omental fat were used for comparisons between sexes, seasons, and populations. Animals of the Shimane population were larger than those of the Boso population in most morphometric measures, abdominal skinfold, and mesenteric and omental fat mass, suggesting environmental and/or genetic differences in the two populations. Females of both populations had larger skinfolds and mesenteric and omental fat mass than males, indicating that females had more fat than males. Females showed seasonality in most measures, having two peaks of body mass, thoracic and femoris circumferences, abdominal skinfold, and mesenteric and omental fat masses in early spring and late fall. In contrast, males exhibited no clear seasonal variations for most measurements, except for biceps femoris and subscapular skinfolds, which showed peaks in summer. Most morphometric measurements significantly correlated to each other, particularly in females, but most skinfolds had no correlation with other measurements. These findings suggest that sexual dimorphism in body composition and its fluctuation may be affected by the different reproductive strategies of males and females.     

Body fat distribution of children and adolescents in Abeokuta,Southwest Nigeria

Excessive central fat in children and adolescents is a risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. This study aimed to compare the body fat distribution patterns of children and adolescents in Abeokuta, Nigeria with international reference standards. Five hundred seventy children aged 5 to 19 years were selected from seven schools using multistage random sampling. Weight, height, triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (TSF, SSF), and circumference at the waist and hips (WC, HC) were measured. Body mass index (BMI), subscapular:triceps skinfold ratio (STR), waist:hip circumference ratio (WHR), and waist: height ratio (WHtR) were derived. Females had higher mean BMI, TSF, SSF, WC, HC, WHR, and WHtR, while males had significantly higher STR. The mean BMI, WC, TSF, and SSF values were lower for our subjects than for African‐American subjects at all ages. On the other hand, in both sexes, STR was higher among Nigerian than African‐American subjects up to 12 years old. Thereafter the values were similar. The mean WC was similar to those reported for African‐American males up to 8 years, and females up to 7 years of age; thereafter, African‐American had higher values. The prevalence of central obesity using WC and WHtR measures was 4.4% and 5.8%, respectively. There is a need to validate each index against serum lipid profiles and other cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. Am J Phys Anthropol 150:647–654, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Genetic and environmental correlations between various anthropometric and blood pressure traits among adult Samoans

Shared polygenic effects (i.e., pleiotropy) are assumed to exist for such obesity-related phenotypes as blood pressure and adiposity. It is possible to identify these shared genetic effects through bivariate genetic analyses. This analysis of 1,342 adult Samoans, across 801 pedigrees, indicates that significant heritable components (P < 0.05) ranging from 29-58% exist for weight, height, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triceps skinfold, subscapular skinfold, body mass index, and sum of skinfolds. In general, the anthropometric measurements share additive genetic effects, as do the anthropometric measures, with blood pressure. Heritabilities for central fat distribution are not significant in this population, which could be due to a lack of power. On the other hand, heritabilities have been found in Hispanics; hence the genes responsible for central fat distribution may not be evenly distributed among populations.     

Gender differences in fat patterning in children living in Ankara

Body composition is an excellent indicator for assessing obesity and nutritional status of both individuals and populations. Youth obesity has important health and social implications, because a large proportion of adult obesity has its origin in childhood. Numerous studies report that adverse levels of cardiovascular diseases risk factors are associated with adiposity in children. Concerning the Turkish population there is up to now only limited information with regard to adiposity in children. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the anthropometric and body composition characteristics and to investigate sex differences in fat patterning including fat distribution in a group of children living in Ankara. The present study evaluated the body composition of 332 boys and 269 girls aged between 8 and 11 years, attending public schools. It was carried out by a cross-sectional study and was focused on that anthropometric variables, which reflect body fat and fat-free mass. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, triceps and subscapular skinfolds thickness were carried out on these children. The body mass index (BMI) was also calculated. The measurements were used to estimate the two-compartment model of body composition: fat-free mass (FFM) and body fat (BF) from skinfold equations. The mean fat percentage in boys is highest at 11 years (16.8%) and lowest at 10 years (15.6%). In girls these figures come to 18.2% and 17.1%, respectively. Girls of these age groups have a significantly larger percentage of body fat and skinfold thickness. At this young age there is therefore clear evidence of sexual dimorphism in fat patterning, as girls are showing a greater subcutaneous adiposity, which is mainly contributed by the triceps fat. The body fat (kg) increases in both sexes all over the investigated age groups. The Pearson correlation matrix showed a high significant relation between the anthropometric measurements (p < 0.01). The present study confirms the findings that sexual dimorphism of fat patterning in children is to be seen in the age of 8 - 11 years. It furthermore presents basic data of body composition, which could serve as reference data in other studies on the Turkish population.