SUBCUTANEOUS FAT THICKNESS AND CALORIC INTAKE IN MELBOURNE CHILDREN

Abstract

Means of subcutaneous fat thicknesses, caloric intakes, height and weight are reported for 123 normal Melbourne, children studied serially between the ages of two and 8. 5 years. The Melbourne children, both boys and girls, had greater subcutaneous fat thicknesses than English children at all sites measured at most ages. The Melbourne children also had lower caloric intakes at most ages, a different pattern of change in caloric intake, but similar heights and weights. The factors possibly responsible for these differences are discussed.