Female fat distribution-a simple classification based on two circumference measurements

Area of Science:

• Anthropometry
• Body Composition Analysis
• Biostatistics

Background:

• Accurate assessment of female fat distribution is crucial for health risk evaluation.
• Photographic fat distribution (FD) scoring is a common method.
• Limitations exist in photographic methods, necessitating alternative approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel circumference-based fat distribution score.
• To establish an alternative to photographic FD scoring using simple body measurements.

Main Methods:

• Discriminant analysis was employed using waist and thigh circumferences.
• A formula for the Fat Distribution (circumference) score (CFD score) was derived: CFD score = 29 log10 (waist circumference) - 36 log10 (thigh circumference) + 10.5.
• The CFD score was correlated with the established FD score.

Main Results:

• A high correlation (0.88) was observed between the CFD score and the FD score in 54 female subjects.
• The CFD score effectively classifies female fat distribution patterns.

Conclusions:

• The CFD score offers a practical, non-photographic alternative for assessing female fat distribution.
• While correlated, the CFD score is not interchangeable with the FD score and should be used for classification purposes.