ANTHROPOMETRIC ASSESSMENT OF BODY-FAT DIS TRIBUTION

There are two types of fat distribution in obese subjects. The abdomin al, superior, android or apple shaped and the gluteo-femoral, gynecoid , inferior or pear shaped. In the former, fat is accumulated in the ab domen and in the latter, in the gluteal region. The superior distribut ion is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Among anthropometric measurements of fat distribution, the ratio between wa ist circumference measured at the level of the navel and hip circumfer ence, measured at the level of greater trochanters, is the best indica tor. Using the cutoff points of 0.8 for women and 1 for men, it has a good correlation with visceral fat.