Variation in subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution associated with age,sex, and maturation

Age-, sex- and maturity-associated variation in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) distribution is reviewed and then considered longitudinally in a sam ple of Polish youth. Current study of adipose tissue distribution places co nsiderable emphasis on abdominal adiposity, specifically intra-abdominal or visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Most studies of children and adolescents do not include an abdominal skinfold, and when it is available, the skinfold is grouped with others as a sum of skinfolds. Correlations between abdomina l VAT and SAT based on computerized tomography in nonobese children are mod erate to high, and those between the suprailiac and abdominal skinfolds and abdominal VAT are moderately high. Changes in three individual skinfolds ( triceps, subscapular, abdominal) and ratios of the skinfolds were considere d by chronological age and relative to the timing of peak height velocity ( PHV), and in children of contrasting maturity status in participants of the Wroclaw Growth Study, 193 boys and 197 girls, who were followed longitudin ally from 8 to 18 years of age. Individual skinfolds behave differently dur ing childhood and adolescence, and the changes are influenced by the timing of the adolescent growth spurt. Sex differences in estimated velocities ar e negligible up to about 2 years before PHV; then velocities tend to be hig her in girls. The velocity of the triceps skinfold is negative in boys just before and after PHV; estimated velocities for the trunk skinfolds are pos itive through the growth spurt in both sexes, and are somewhat greater afte r PHV, especially in girls. The individuality of changes in individual skin folds during the adolescent spurt contributes to changes in the relative di stribution of SAT at this time. The timing of the adolescent growth spurt i s an important factor influencing the distribution of SAT both in the total sample and in youth classified as early and late maturing. (C) 1999 Wiley- Liss, Inc.