[Constitution and obesity in adolescents (author's transl)]

Obesity was found in 18% of 475 adolescents of both sexes by subtraction of lean body weight from whole body weight. Severe obesity is more frequent in male while lower degrees are more often seen in female adolescents. Obese youths are not only fatter than lean ones: their lean body weight is also higher, shoulders, chest and hips are broader. Their weight at birth was higher than that of none-obese subjects. Their mothers more often classify themselves as "well developed", "stout" or "fat"; the same is true for the fathers of obese girls but not for the obese boys' fathers. The results are discussed in context with the new findings of adipose tissue hyperplasia. It is felt that hereditary constitution of an individuum is of great importance in the development of obesity.