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PubMed1991

Sonographically measured nuchal skinfold thickness as a screening tool for Down syndrome: results of a prospective clinical trial.

Second-trimester sonographic measurement of nuchal skinfold thickness has been proposed as a potential screening tool for Down syndrome detection. The feasibility of this technique was tested in a prospective study of 3338 consecutive pregnancies at 14-21 weeks' gestation. A nuchal skinfold thickness of 6 mm or greater was identified in 47 fetuses (1.4%), 12 of whom proved subsequently by either amniocentesis or postnatal follow-up to have Down syndrome. The sensitivity of nuchal skinfold thickness for Down syndrome detection was 75% (12 of 16 cases). When adjusted for the incidence of Down syndrome in the general population (one in 710 births), the positive predictive value of nuchal skinfold thickness for Down syndrome detection was one in 13. The observed sensitivity, false-positive rate, and predictive value suggest that amniocentesis should be offered when a nuchal skinfold thickness of 6 mm or greater is observed between 14-21 weeks' gestation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1975

Skinfold thickness on the dorsum of the hand in the elderly.

The skinfold thickness on the dorsum of the right hand over the second metacarpal was measured with Harpenden calipers in 276 women and 152 men aged 65 and over living at home. Mean values were higher in men than women and declined with age in both sexes. Skinfold thickness was related to body size, as estimated from lean body mass, but was unrelated to the presence of osteoporosis as assessed from bone mass of the second metacarpal or the presence of vertebral fractures. The skinfold thickness was low in those subjects who had senile purpura and also in a small group of subjects on long-term steroid therapy.

Aged↗

PubMed1988

Body fat assessed from body density and estimated from skinfold thickness in normal children and children with cystic fibrosis.

Body density and skinfold thickness at four sites were measured in 140 normal boys, 168 normal girls, and 6 boys and 7 girls with cystic fibrosis, all aged 8-14 y. Prediction equations for the normal boys and girls for the estimation of body-fat content from skinfold measurements were derived from linear regression of body density vs the log of the sum of the skinfold thickness. The relationship between body density and the log of the sum of the skinfold measurements differed from normal for the boys and girls with cystic fibrosis because of their high body density even though their large residual volume was corrected for. However the sum of skinfold measurements in the children with cystic fibrosis did not differ from normal. Thus body fat percent of these children with cystic fibrosis was underestimated when calculated from body density and invalid when calculated from skinfold thickness.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1991

Measurement of neonatal skinfold thickness--is it of any clinical relevance?

The skinfold thickness (SFT) was measured in 750 Punjabi newborns at triceps and subscapular sites using a Harpenden's Caliper. It was correlated with various maternal and neonatal factors. SFT increased with increasing gestation but showed a decline after 40 weeks. There was a positive correlation of SFT with birth weight and length of the baby in both sexes. The correlation co-efficient for all these parameters was 0.9. The female babies had a higher SFT at all weight and length groups. Increasing maternal age, parity, weight and height all influenced the neonatal SFT positively. Mothers with higher SFT produced babies with more skinfold thickness. Similar relationship was observed between birth weight and these maternal factors. While severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia led to a significant fall in SFT, hypertension alone did not affect it. A higher than normal SFT was seen among infants of diabetic mothers. It was concluded that the SFT does not give any additional information than that provided by the commonly measured parameters like birth weight and length.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Cut-off criteria for second-trimester nuchal skinfold thickness for prenatal detection of Down syndrome in a Thai population.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of progressive cut-offs for nuchal skinfold thickness with advancing gestational age and the commonly applied cut-off method (> 6 mm) for prenatal detection of Down syndrome in a Thai population. METHOD: A prospective study was performed by experienced perinatologists on 2150 women undergoing second-trimester amniocentesis for the indications of advanced maternal age and past history of chromosomal abnormality. Reference ranges were established for nuchal skinfold thickness from the 16th to the 24th week, using either gestational-specific centiles or the parametric method. Assaying different cut-off criteria for both centile and the parametric methods were calculated and then compared with the commonly applied cut-off level (> or = 6 mm.). RESULTS: There were 2114 chromosomally normal pregnancies, 19 fetuses with Down syndrome (1:113), and 17 other chromosome abnormalities. In fetuses with normal karyotype the nuchal skinfold thickness increased with advancing gestational age [NF (mm) = -0.502 + 0.212 GA (week), r = 0.36, P < 0.001]. The sensitivities of an abnormal nuchal skinfold thickness using different cut-off criteria for detecting Down syndrome were low (5.3-26.3%) with the false positive rates ranging from 2.5 to 16.5%. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, measurement of second-trimester nuchal skinfold thickness was a poor and unreliable screening test for fetal Down syndrome in a Thai population.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Low bone mineral density, grip strength and skinfold thickness are important risk factors for hip fracture in Hong Kong Chinese.

The purpose of the study was to compare the bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip and spine, the grip strength and the skinfold thickness in Chinese hip fracture patients and controls, and to document the relative risk of hip fracture associated with different levels of these risk factors. The study was conducted on 163 elderly patients with hip fracture (32 men and 131 women) and 317 controls (104 men and 213 women). BMD at the hip and spine was measured by dual-energy X-ray densitometry (Norland NR26). The mean grip strength was measured in both hands by a hand dynamometer; and bicep, tricep and iliac skinfold thicknesses were measured by a caliper (Holstain). Student's t-test was used to compare the mean bone densities, recalled body weight, grip strength and skinfold thickness; and multiple logistic regression was used to calculate the relative risk and 95% confidence intervals in quartiles of bone density, grip strength and skinfold thickness. In women, the mean BMD and anthropometric measurements were significantly lower in patients than controls. However, in men the mean recalled body weight and measured skinfold thickness were not significantly different between patients and controls. In both men and women the relative risk of hip fracture increased significantly with diminishing bone density at the spine, femoral neck and intertrochanteric area, but not at the Ward's triangle. In women the relative risk of hip fracture also increased significantly with a low recalled body weight, grip strength and skinfold thickness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

PubMed1994

The relationship between maternal skinfold thickness, smoking and birthweight in black and white women.

A prospective study was conducted in a sample of 1491 multiparous women to ascertain whether the relationship between maternal tricep skinfold thickness and infant birthweight is modified by smoking status and whether the relationship is different in white and black infants. Maternal tricep skinfold thickness measured at midpregnancy was a significant predictor of infant birthweight in both white and black infants after adjusting for gestational age at birth, maternal height, maternal age, parity, alcohol consumption and sex of the infant. However, maternal tricep skinfold thickness was a better predictor of birthweight in smokers compared with nonsmokers. Both white and black women with tricep skinfold thickness below the sample mean had lower infant birthweight than women with tricep skinfold at or above the mean, after adjusting for gestational age at birth, but the difference was greater in smokers (198 g for white and 221 g for black infants) than in nonsmokers (124 g for white and 221 g for black infants) than in nonsmokers maternal subcutaneous fat measured by tricep skinfold thickness has a greater effect on infant birthweight in smokers compared with nonsmokers, with similar effects in white and black infants.

Black or African American↗

PubMed1995

Interobserver variability of sonographically determined second-trimester nuchal skinfold thickness measurements.

Twenty physicians experienced in fetal sonographic evaluation obtained fetal nuchal skinfold thickness measurements in each of five pregnant women between 16 and 18 weeks' gestation. A random effects analysis of variance model was used to explore the sources of variation in the set of measurements, to determine the interobserver variability of sonographically measured second-trimester nuchal skinfold thickness. It was possible to obtain 96 measurements. Four measurements (all in the same patient) were deemed unobtainable due to fetal position. All recorded measurements were between 1.7 and 4.5 mm. The means (and ranges) for the five patients were 2.7 (1.7-3.6), 2.9 (2.0-4.5), 2.7 (2.0-4.0), 3.3 (2.2-4.0), and 2.7 (1.8-4.0) mm. The standard deviation for interobserver variability, caused by the combined effect of physician and machine imprecision, was 0.56 mm and the overall coefficient of variation was 19.8%. Interpatient differences were statistically significant (p = 0.004). Interphysician differences were not (p = 0.11). We conclude that experienced physician sonographers using high-resolution ultrasound equipment are able to obtain second-trimester nuchal skinfold thickness measurements within 1.1 mm of the estimated true value with 95% probability.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1991

[Phenotypic variability and correlation between skinfold thickness and arterial pressure level].

Contribution of genetic and environmental factors in phenotypic variability of blood pressure level and skinfold thickness, and phenotypic correlation between these characters was calculated on the basis of familial correlations. It was shown that genetic determinant explains considerable portion of blood pressure level and skinfold thickness variability. Among common environmental effects, the factors affecting one generation are important with regard to variability of these characters. Maternal effect is expressed in the variability of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Correlation between blood pressure level and triceps skinfold thickness is determined by genetic factors, whereas that between blood pressure level and subscapular skinfold thickness is mediated by environmental factors. The results obtained may be applied in populational prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed1975

Correlation of blood pressure with skinfold thickness and protein levels.

To plan prospective studies of obesity and hypertension, we measured skinfold thickness, weight, blood pressure, and protein fractions in 920 children who were divided according to age, sex, and race. Correlations between measurements were calculated within each of these groups. Children aged 10, 11, and 12 years had direct correlations between diastolic blood pressure and serum albumin level, but inverse correlations between diastolic blood pressure and alpha-globulin level as well as inverse correlations with alpha-globulin level. These correlations did not occur in similar children aged 8, 9, and 10. Although diastolic blood pressure correlated with skinfold thickness in all groups, there was no correlation between skinfold thickness and serum protein levels.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Changes in performance, skinfold thicknesses, and fat patterning after three years of intense athletic conditioning in high level runners.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if the changes in specific skinfold sites induced by intense athletic conditioning over a three year period were associated with changes in running performance in high level athletes. METHODS: Thirty seven top class runners (eight male and five female sprint trained, 16 male and eight female endurance trained) volunteered to participate in the study. The athletes were divided into class A (n = 18) and class B (n = 17), with class A having the best performance. Biceps, triceps, subscapular, pectoral, iliac crest, abdominal, front thigh, and medial calf skinfold thickness and the best running performance were recorded at the beginning and after one, two, and three years of training. A one way analysis of variance and a linear regression analysis were conducted to determine changes and association between performance and skinfold thicknesses. Analyses were controlled for sex, sprint event or endurance event, and class. RESULTS: Training resulted in a significant increase in performance and decreases in sum of six skinfolds, abdominal, front thigh, and medial calf skinfolds, and the ratio of extremity to trunk skinfolds (E/T, Sigmatriceps, front thigh, medial calf/Sigmasubscapular, iliac crest, abdominal). There were no significant differences in body weight. Except for the abdominal skinfold, there was no significant difference in trunk skinfolds. Significant differences in these changes were observed by sex for E/T, which decreased and increased in male and female runners respectively, and by class. Class B runners significantly improved performance, with decreased skinfold thicknesses in the lower limb. There were no significant changes in performance or skinfold thicknesses in class A runners. Improvements in performance were consistently associated with a decrease in the lower limb skinfolds. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these findings, anthropometric assessment of top class athletes should include an evaluation of all skinfolds. The loss of body fat appears to be specific to the muscular groups used during training. The lower limb skinfolds may be particularly useful predictors of running performance.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1998

Weight gain in pregnancy, triceps skinfold thickness, and blood pressure in offspring.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether women who are poorly nourished in early pregnancy, as determined by triceps skinfold thickness, or who have poor pregnancy weight gain have offspring with higher blood pressure (BP). METHODS: We evaluated 296 11-year-old children born to women who had taken part in a study of nutrition in pregnancy. Women had been weighed at 18 and 28 weeks' gestation and had had their triceps skinfold thickness measured at 18 weeks. In our follow-up study, their children were weighed and had their BP recorded. Blood pressure was adjusted for weight, gender, ethnic group, cuff size, and time of measurement. RESULTS: The children's mean (standard deviation [SD]) systolic BP was 106 (12) mmHg and their mean (SD) diastolic BP was 62 (7) mmHg. Maternal triceps skinfold thickness at 18 weeks' gestation and maternal pregnancy weight gain between 18 and 28 weeks' gestation were weakly inversely related to the children's BP. However, among women with triceps skinfold thickness at 18 weeks below the group median (15 mm), reduced pregnancy weight gain was associated with significantly higher BP in the offspring; systolic pressure increased by 11.3 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2, 20.4) and diastolic pressure by 10.1 mmHg (95% CI 3.2, 17.1) for each kilogram-per-week decrease in pregnancy weight gain. CONCLUSION: In women who were poorly nourished in early pregnancy, reduced pregnancy weight gain was associated with higher BP in the 11-year-old offspring. We suggest that fetal adaptations to poor maternal nutrition lead to elevated BP in childhood but adequate maternal weight gain during pregnancy may protect against this.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1977

Skinfold thickness measurements in assessment of nutritional status of Indian and White schoolchildren.

A statistical comparison is presented between height, weight, and subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness for age of Indian and White schoolchildren. It was found that (i) although a high degree of correlation existed between height and weight for age of White children, this was not true for Indian children; (ii) for both White and Indian children of both sexes inconsistent variations occurred between both height and weight and skinfold thickness; (iii) despite extremely low heights and weights observed for Indian children, which could be interpreted as depicting chronic undernutrition, the skinfold thicknesses of the latter children were close to normal as judged by conventional standards: the subscapular skinfold thicknesses in Indian girls actually exceeded the conventionally accepted normal standard values. It is concluded that in the indirect assessment of nutritional status of Indian subjects, anthropometric variables should be used with caution. Finally, it is proposed that further anthropometric and individual energy balance studies be conducted on a cross-section of various socio-economic, age and sex groups of the Indian population in an attempt to establish the basis for the described anomalies.

Body Height↗

PubMed1982

Relative merits of old and new indices of body mass with reference to skinfold thickness.

Correlation coefficients among the various commonly used indices of body mass and measures of skinfold thickness were calculated using 16,459 adult Black of white samples derived from the data sets of the US Health and Nutritional Examination Survey I of 1971 to 1974. Compared to weight and weight-height cube ratio, weight-height square ratio, and weight-heightp ratio exhibit the highest correlation with skinfold thickness. Furthermore, weight-height square ratio and weight-heightp ratio showed the same amount of correlation with skinfolds. Therefore, weight-heightp ratio is not the best indicator of adiposity. It is concluded that weight-height square ratio along with measures of subcutaneous fat such as skinfold thickness would provide adequate information about body size and body fatness. The applicability of weight-heightp is limited to studies concerned with interpopulation comparisons of body mass and where there are differences in height.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Subscapular skinfold thickness distinguishes between transient and persistent impaired glucose tolerance: Study on Lifestyle-Intervention and Impaired Glucose Tolerance Maastricht (SLIM).

AIMS: To assess whether adding anthropometric measurements to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) can help to distinguish between transient and persistent impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). METHODS: From the SLIM project (Study on Lifestyle-Intervention and IGT Maastricht), a study designed to evaluate whether diet and physical activity intervention can improve glucose tolerance in subjects at risk for diabetes, 108 subjects with IGT underwent a repeated OGTT 2-4 months after the initial OGTT. Following the second test, subjects were classified as transient IGT, or persistent IGT. Anthropometric measurements, including body mass index, waist and hip circumference, sagittal and transverse abdominal diameters and skinfold thickness measurements, were done during the second OGTT. RESULTS: Persistent IGT was diagnosed in 47 subjects (44%), transient IGT in 40 (37%), impaired fasting glucose in eight subjects (7%), and diabetes in 13 cases (12%). Two-hour blood glucose levels at the initial OGTT and subscapular skinfold thickness were significantly higher in subjects with persistent IGT (2-h blood glucose 9.8+/-0.1 mmol/l vs. 10.2+/-0.1 mmol/l for transient IGT and persistent IGT, respectively; subscapular skinfold thickness 25.4+/-1.4 mm vs. 29.8+/-1.2 mm for transient IGT and persistent IGT, respectively). After adjustment for age, sex and family history of diabetes mellitus, logistic regression indicated that 2-h blood glucose level during the initial OGTT represented the strongest predictor of persistent IGT (P<0.02), followed by subscapular skinfold thickness (P<0.05). After adjustment for 2-h blood glucose levels during the first OGTT, subscapular skinfold thickness remained significantly associated with persistent IGT (odds ratio 1.84; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the 2-h blood glucose level, subscapular skinfold thickness was the best predictor of persistent IGT, suggesting that adding simple anthropometric measures to oral glucose tolerance testing may improve the distinction between persistent and transient glucose intolerance.

Anthropometry↗

PubMed1975

Influence of heredity and environment in determination of skinfold thickness in children.

Triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses were measured in 222 pairs of like-sex twins (78 monozygotic and 144 dizygotic) aged 3-15 years. Log transformations of the measurements were standardized for age and sex and the results used to estimate heritability--that is, the proportion of total variation determined by genetic factors. The overall contribution of non-genetic familial effects was small. There were appreciable differences in heritability between limb and trunk fat and between the sexes and at different ages. Over the age of 10 heritability was high for both sites in boys and girls. In younger children environmental factors contributed more to the variation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

On the body composition of obese children and in particular, sexual, age, and regional differences of skinfold thickness.

Recently in Japan, it has been observed that the physical dimensions of schoolboys and schoolgirls, specifically stature and body weight, are increasing year by year, and that spurts in increase in dimensions tend to happen earlier. The phenomena of accelerated growth are resulting in more obesity and leanness in childhood. Skinfold thickness, body density, body fat and lean body mass estimated from body density, creatinine excretion in the 24-hour urine, and muscular volume calculated from creatinine excretion were studied in obese children and normal children of 10 and 11 years of age, and the difference in the skinfold thickness by sec, age, and district in school children in five districts in southern Kyushu (1,002 boys and 931 girls) were examined. Reference was then made to the skinfold thickness of some of experienced and new sumo wrestlers of the Japan Professional Sumo Association whose nutrition intake is high and who show high ratios of diabetes mellitus and cardiac diseases. The results of the present study were also compared with the results of skinfold thickness measurements of children in Ghana and Kenya and those of the skinfold thickness and body composition measurements of Czechoslovakian children.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1984

Skinfold thickness and long-term post-menopausal hormone therapy.

Skinfold thickness was measured in 130 post-menopausal women treated with long-term hormone therapy. One group of 50 women took oestradiol valerate 2 mg/day for 3 wk out of 7, a second group comprising 19 women received oestriol succinate 2 mg/day and the remaining group of 61 women used oestradiol valerate 2 mg/day combined sequentially with norgestrel 0.5 mg/day. The duration of treatment in these groups was 6.3 +/- 0.4, 6.4 +/- 0.4 and 3.3 +/- 0.3 yr, respectively. The control group was made up of a further 89 post-menopausal women. The skinfold thickness in all the treated groups was significantly greater than that in the controls.

Estradiol↗