Fat distribution in Cuban infants

Fatness and relative fat distribution of 505 infants from the city of Havana were identified by principal components analysis of four skinfolds. The first principal component accounts for 59-62% of the variance and represents overall fatness; the other components contrast trunk-extremity and upper-lower body fat. Principal component scores were also correlated with different anthropometric variables. Estimated fat areas and an energy/protein index are the best indicators of fatness, but indices of fat distribution and skinfold ratios are more representative of fat patterning. Nutritional status is related to fatness, but not to fat distribution. Age and race of the infants are independent of fatness and fat distribution. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.