BIOLOGICAL MATURATION AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUBCUTANEOUS FAT FROM ADOLESCENCE INTO ADULTHOOD - THE AMSTERDAM GROWTH AND HEALTH STUDY

OBJECTIVE: To analyze differences in the development of a trunk-orient ed fat distribution pattern between 13 and 27 years of age in individu als who either matured rapidly or slowly in adolescence. DESIGN: Longi tudinal, observational, four annual measurements between 1977 and 1980 and additional measurements in 1985 and 1991, SUBJECTS: 79 boys, 98 g irls, health Caucasian schoolchildren, classified as rapidly, normally or slowly maturing. MEASUREMENTS: biceps, triceps, subscapular, supra iliac skinfolds resulting in two skinfold ratios, body mass index, ske letal age, peak height velocity (for boys only), age at menarche. RESU LTS: No statistically significant differences were found between rapid ly and slowly maturing boys and girls, based on the skeletal age or th e peak height velocity. Girls with a relatively early menarche showed significant higher mean skinfold ratios between 13 and 27 years of age than girls with a relatively late menarche. CONCLUSION: Skeletal matu ration of boys and girls and peak height velocity (only measured in bo ys) are not associated with a trunk-oriented fat distribution pattern between 13 and 27 years of age. Only a relatively early menarche in gi rls seems to be associated with a trunk-oriented fat distribution patt ern from adolescence into adulthood.