ANTHROPOMETRIC COMPARISON BETWEEN HIGH-ALTITUDE AND LOW-ALTITUDE SAUDI-ARABIANS

Measurements of weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, mid-upper arm muscle circumference and skinfold thickness over the triceps regi on were made in 437 high-altitude residents (3150m above sea level) ag ed 16-60 years and 468 low-altitude residents (500m above sea level) a ged 16-60 years in southern Saudi Arabia. Compared with low-altitude r esidents, high-altitude residents were found to be significantly heavi er and taller, but to have nearly similar mid-upper arm circumference, mid-upper arm muscle circumference and triceps skinfold thickness. Es timates of body fat have been made from the triceps skinfold measureme nts. No significant difference in the percentage of fat was detected b etween high- and low-altitude residents. When fat mass (kg) and fat ma ss index (fat mass (kg)/height in m(2)) were considered, similar trend s were found between highland and lowland men only. Highland women sho wed significantly higher fat mass and fat mass index when compared wit h lowland women. These differences in physique between highland and lo wland residents of southern Saudi Arabia may be attributed to the effe ct of environmental factors, possibly the hot climate and parasitic in fections prevalent in lowland areas, in addition to the higher physica l activity observed in lowland women.