Simple indices of subcutaneous fat patterning

Abstract

Some patterns of subcutaneous fat deposition have been linked with disease, but this may be a result of common links with fatness. The relationships of indices of fat patterning to fatness were examined in 138 Italian men aged 23–56 years, and simple indices of fat patterning independent of fatness were sought. Indices of absolute fat pattern (28 ratios from 8 skinfolds) and relative fat pattern (28 indices using pairs of z‐scored skinfolds) were related to % fat and fat mass determined from measurements of body density. After log transformation and partialling out the effects of age, trunk skinfolds (pectoral, thorax, abdomen and suprailiac but not subscapular) increased more than limb sites (biceps, triceps, thigh) with increasing fatness in these cross‐sectional data; that is, there was an accentuated centripetal fat distribution in fatter subjects. Two thirds of the ratios were significantly correlated; r > 0.17 with fatness (average r = 0.27) but only 4 of the z‐score indices were (average r = 0.10). The use of z‐score or other indices of relative fat patterning should be encouraged, particularly in studies linking fat patterning to disease.