Body fat patterning in rural South African black children.

Growth status, body fatness, and fat patterning were investigated in two cross-sectional samples of rural South African Black children 6-19 years of age. The results were compared to data for American Blacks who were part of the NHANES survey. The two South African samples differed consistently, although rarely significantly, but both were smaller, lighter, and less fat than American Blacks. Analyses of triceps, biceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfolds demonstrated that all three samples had similar fat patterning when analysed either by investigating the Centripetal Fat Ratio or through an analysis of principal components. Following correction for general fatness, and in common with other studies of fat patterning, the first component related to central-peripheral patterning, the second to a ventral-dorsal patterning, and the third to upper-lower body patterning. These three components accounted for 99.4% of the total variance. It is suggested that central-peripheral fat patterning is a species characteristic but that other patterns are individual characteristics. Analysis of principal components within childhood, pre-adolescent and adolescent age groups suggested that prior to adolescence a negative relationship exists between absolute level of fatness and centralization such that thinner, less fat, children are more centralized. During adolescence, however, there is no relationship between level of fatness and centralization. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.