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Anthropometrical Profile, Skinfold Tickness and Subcutaneous Fat Depositions in Adolescents of Southeastern Nigeria
Abstract
Background: The threatening health problems resulting from excess subcutaneous fat depositions have been reported by the world Health Organization. Also noteworthy is that childhood obesity is a pointer to adult obesity. This necessitated a study on the anthropometrical profiles of adolescents of Southeast Nigeria using different methods of determination of adiposity patterns.
Methods: Subcutaneous fat depositions in adolescents of Southeastern Nigeria were studied from anthropometrical data generated between 1998 and 2000 on 857 adolescents. The methods used were the Body Mass Index (BMI), the Triceps Skinfold Thickness (TST) and Subscapular Skinfold Thickness (SST).
Result: Results in the three methods were positively correlated (r=0.81) in establishing adiposity patterns of subjects. However, the TST and SST showed more accuracy in reliability of data related to fat content of body while the BMI relates to total body weight.
Conclusion: The paper established the fact that for measurements of growth for adolescents of Southeast Nigeria, the BMI provides enough information on growth of subjects but for quick anthropometrical fat content determinations in clinical examinations, the TST and SST appear to provide more accuracy.
Key Words: Body Mass Index, Skin fold, Thickness, Adolescents.
[Jnl College of Medicine Vol.8(2) 2003: 25-26]
Methods: Subcutaneous fat depositions in adolescents of Southeastern Nigeria were studied from anthropometrical data generated between 1998 and 2000 on 857 adolescents. The methods used were the Body Mass Index (BMI), the Triceps Skinfold Thickness (TST) and Subscapular Skinfold Thickness (SST).
Result: Results in the three methods were positively correlated (r=0.81) in establishing adiposity patterns of subjects. However, the TST and SST showed more accuracy in reliability of data related to fat content of body while the BMI relates to total body weight.
Conclusion: The paper established the fact that for measurements of growth for adolescents of Southeast Nigeria, the BMI provides enough information on growth of subjects but for quick anthropometrical fat content determinations in clinical examinations, the TST and SST appear to provide more accuracy.
Key Words: Body Mass Index, Skin fold, Thickness, Adolescents.
[Jnl College of Medicine Vol.8(2) 2003: 25-26]
