Relationship between frame size and fatness in children and adolescents

In order to evaluate variation in body fatness by category of frame size (small, medium, and large) during growth, a sample of 7,286 Cuban children and adolescents (3,721 males, 3,565 females) 5-20 years was surveyed. Fatness was estimated from skinfold thicknesses at four sites: subscapular, triceps, suprailiac, and posterior calf. Elbow breadth was used as an estimate of frame size. Generally, the larger the frame size, the greater the amount of subcutaneous fat regardless of age and sex. The results suggest that in the assessment of obesity and its associated risk, in children and youth, frame size, given by categories of elbow breadth, should be taken into account. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.