Sexual dimorphism in fat patterning in a sample of 5 to 7-year-old children in Oxford.

It is now well recognised that, in addition to total body fat, fat distribution is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance/diabetes in both adults and children. Traditionally, sexual dimorphism in fat patterning has been regarded as occurring at puberty. The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in fat patterning in a group of children in Oxford. Anthropometric data was collected for 95 girls and 93 boys aged 5-7 years. Body mass index, percentage body fat and fat patterning indices were calculated using skinfold thickness measurements. While girls at this age had significantly larger percentage body fat and skinfolds, the fat patterning indices showed no differences between genders and no indication of greater truncal adiposity. The boys had a larger mean waist-hip ratio (0.96+/-0.04) compared with the girls (0.93+/-0.04) (P<0.001). The larger ratio in boys was the outcome of the smaller hip circumference in the boys reflecting less gluteal adiposity. This suggests that even at this young age there is clear evidence of sexual dimorphism in fat patterning, with girls showing greater subcutaneous adiposity mainly contributed by gluteal fat. The present study confirms the findings of American and European workers that sexual dimorphism of fat patterning in children is present at 5-7 years of age. Second, that these differences in fat patterning can be detected using simple anthropometric measurements such as hip circumference and skinfold thicknesses. The significance and importance of hip circumference measurements in predicting health outcome is an area that merits further investigation.

A comparison of physical activity levels in two contrasting elderly populations in Thailand.

There is little information available on physical activity patterns in the elderly in developing countries. This is particularly important at a time when developing countries are in transition and show signs of moving toward Western style patterns of physical activity and social structure. This study is unique in that it compares the physical activity levels in two contrasting communities: a residential home and a rural community of elderly subjects in Thailand. Ninety elderly people living in a residential home and 78 elderly people living with their families in a rural community were recruited. The men in the rural community were slightly lighter and leaner than the men in the residential community, but the differences were not significant. However, the women were significantly (P < 0.001) heavier and fatter in the residential home than in the rural community. This is consistent with the higher levels of physical activity in the rural community. There was considerable variation in physical activity in this population. The physical activity level (PAL) values ranged from 1.21 to 1.73 in the residential home and from 1.21 to 3.08 in the rural community. This is apparently the first study of physical activity patterns in elderly subjects in a developing country. It highlights the variation in activity within the rural community and between both communities. The opportunities for the elderly living in the residential home to have active lifestyles are limited. It is likely that this will result in increased morbidity in the final years of life.

Anthropometry of two contrasting populations of Thai elderly living in a rural setting.

This study presents anthropometric data on 192 elderly males and 342 elderly females from two contrasting population settings in rural Thailand. Sixty per cent of the subjects lived in with relatives and 40% in a residential home. The elderly population in the present study had BMI values of 21 kg/m(2) for men and 22-23 kg/m(2) for women. Due to different age distributions in the two groups studied, the anthropometric values were adjusted for age. There was a negative correlation between age and weight for men and women at both sites. Both males and females were shorter with smaller armspan in the residential home. There were significant differences in the distribution of adipose tissue, after adjustment for age, between the two communities. Men in the residential home had larger waist circumference, triceps and biceps skinfold thicknesses but smaller subscapular skinfold thicknesses than the men in the rural community. Women in the residential home were heavier with larger biceps and triceps skinfold thicknesses and smaller arm circumferences than the women in the rural community. The elderly in the residential home had a general reduction in body fat with age, unlike the elderly in the rural community who showed a decrease in mainly peripheral fat. The likely impact of lifestyle and feeding practices in the two sites on body composition is also discussed.

Physical activity levels in a sample of Oxford school children aged 10-13 years.

OBJECTIVE: To determine physical activity levels (PAL) in children aged between 10 and 13 y. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of physical activity levels on school days, with and without physical education (PE) lessons and at weekend. Data were collected using self-reported activity diaries. SETTING: The children were recruited from a middle school in Oxford. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) and anthropometry were measured in the school. SUBJECTS: Thirty-eight children (12 boys and 26 girls), aged 10-13 y, returned completed activity diaries. PAL values were calculated by applying physical activity ratios (PAR) to the time spent on each activity. BMR and anthropometry were measured within 20 d of activity diary completion. RESULTS: The mean +/-s.d. (range) PAL values for all children were 1.52+/-0.08 (1.34-1.71), 1. 50+/-0.05 (1.44-1.57) for boys and 1.53+/-0.10 (1.34-1.71) for girls. The lowest PAL value (1.48+/-0.13, mean +/-s.d.) was observed in girls on school days without PE lessons. The lowest PAL value in boys (1.46+/-0.13, mean +/-s.d.) was observed at the weekend. PE lessons made a significant difference to the PAL values for boys (1. 58+/-0.09) and girls (1.60+/-0.12). A wide range of PAL values (1. 20-1.87) was recorded in these children. The total energy expenditure for the boys was slightly lower than the estimated average requirements (EAR) predicted by the Department of Health (8. 71+/-0.96 MJ compared with 8.86 MJ/d) for this age group. The girls had a higher average energy expenditure than the predicted EAR (8. 47+/-1.00 MJ/d compared with 7.885). CONCLUSIONS: The children in this study may be classified as light to moderately active with PAL values ranging from 1.20 to 1.87. The promotion of physical activity in childhood will have beneficial effects for the child and their future wellbeing. Programmes aimed at preventing obesity in children should encourage physical activity as well as promoting appropriate dietary changes.