T S Olds1. 1. Sansom Institute, School of Health Sciences, Physical Education, Exercise and Sport Studies, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. timothy.olds@unisa.edu.au
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: There are abundant data on secular trends in the body mass index (BMI) of children. However, BMI is an imperfect index of fatness, whereas skinfold thicknesses provide a more direct measure. This study aims to meta-analyse historical studies of triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses in young people aged 0-18 years in developed countries. SUBJECTS/ METHODS: A total of 154 studies conducted between 1951 and 2003 were analysed, covering 2390 reports at the age x sex x country level, and more than 458,547 young people from 30 developed countries. Percentage body fat (% BF) was estimated using the Slaughter equations. The distribution of fat on the body was indexed by the triceps/subscapular (T/S) ratio. The skewness of skinfold distributions was operationalized by the coefficient of variation and the mean-median difference. RESULTS: There have been increases in triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses, at the rate of 0.4-0.5 mm per decade over the period 1951-2003. % BF has been increasing at the rate of 0.9% BF per decade. The distribution of fat on the body, as indexed by the triceps/subscapular (T/S) ratio, has become more central. There has been an increasing positive skew in the distribution of subcutaneous fat thickness in the population. CONCLUSIONS: These trends describe very unfavourable changes in the body composition of young people, foreshadowing a potential increase in the incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic disease.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: There are abundant data on secular trends in the body mass index (BMI) of children. However, BMI is an imperfect index of fatness, whereas skinfold thicknesses provide a more direct measure. This study aims to meta-analyse historical studies of triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses in young people aged 0-18 years in developed countries. SUBJECTS/ METHODS: A total of 154 studies conducted between 1951 and 2003 were analysed, covering 2390 reports at the age x sex x country level, and more than 458,547 young people from 30 developed countries. Percentage body fat (% BF) was estimated using the Slaughter equations. The distribution of fat on the body was indexed by the triceps/subscapular (T/S) ratio. The skewness of skinfold distributions was operationalized by the coefficient of variation and the mean-median difference. RESULTS: There have been increases in triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses, at the rate of 0.4-0.5 mm per decade over the period 1951-2003. % BF has been increasing at the rate of 0.9% BF per decade. The distribution of fat on the body, as indexed by the triceps/subscapular (T/S) ratio, has become more central. There has been an increasing positive skew in the distribution of subcutaneous fat thickness in the population. CONCLUSIONS: These trends describe very unfavourable changes in the body composition of young people, foreshadowing a potential increase in the incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic disease.
Authors: Grant R Tomkinson; Tori Kaster; Faith L Dooley; John S Fitzgerald; Madison Annandale; Katia Ferrar; Justin J Lang; Jordan J Smith Journal: Sports Med Date: 2021-03 Impact factor: 11.136
Authors: C Wohlfahrt-Veje; J Tinggaard; K Winther; A Mouritsen; C P Hagen; M G Mieritz; K T de Renzy-Martin; M Boas; J H Petersen; K M Main Journal: Eur J Clin Nutr Date: 2014-01-29 Impact factor: 4.016
Authors: Francilene B Madeira; Antônio A Silva; Helma F Veloso; Marcelo Z Goldani; Gilberto Kac; Viviane C Cardoso; Heloisa Bettiol; Marco A Barbieri Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-03-28 Impact factor: 3.240