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'Rebato E, Salces I, Muñoz MJ, Fernández-Orth J, Herrera H, Ansotegui L, Arroyo M, Rocandio AM, 2003: BMI Related to Fat Patterning in University Students from the Basque Country (Spain). Anthropologie (Brno) 41, 1-2: 127-133'. |
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| Abstract | | Evaluating the nutritional status of individuals and populations groups is a tool of vital importance in public health and a feasible indicator of the standards of living. In this sense, establishing ranges of body mass index (BMI) in order to diagnose malnutrition is very important. This index can also be related to other variables such as caloric intake, socio-economic level, physical activity and adiposity. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between BMI and fat patterning in a sample of 549 young adult students (159 males and 390 females) between 18 and 29 years of age, who were attending the University of the Basque Country (Spain). The following measurements were taken following the IBP criteria: height, weight and four skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and medial calf). BMI was calculated as the relationship weight (kg)/ height2 (m). Fat distribution was assessed by PCA for the total sample. Variables in the analysis were four indices (ratios) of relative fat distribution, which have the ability of maximising the contrast between trunk and extremity fat. Following the SEEDO´2000 classification on overweight and obesity more than 70% of males and about 80% of females were classified with an appropriate BMI. Mean BMI was significantly higher (p<0.001) in males (23.63) than in females (22.27). Two components were extracted from the PCA, accounting together for 88.26 % of the variance. The first factor accounted for 81.44 % and the second for 6.82%. The first component reflects a trunk-limb pattern of fat distribution. This factor was used to identify two groups of fat distribution, centripetal and peripheral. In both sexes, the central fat distribution was associated with higher BMI values, which in females were close to the highest limit of normal weight (24.96). Even BMI does not exactly reflect body composition, it can be a good indicator of the development of a centripetal fat pattern, even later studies in overweight and obese samples should confirm our observations. | | | | Keywords | | BMI - Fat patterning - PCA - Obesity - University students | | |
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