Thermoregulation in boys at prepubertal age (7-15 years).

In 70 boys aged 7-8 and 14-15 years the temperature of the skin surface (at rest), rectal temperature, thickness of the skin-fat fold and heat loss by radiation and convection were measured. Then the mean weighted skin temperature (Ts) and body thermoinsulation (I) were calculated. The investigations were carried out stable physical conditions of the environment at the ambient temperature (Ta) of 20 degrees C. It was found that the thermoinsulatory properties of the body increased with age, while the amount of eliminated heat decreased. At the age of 7 to 15 years the value of body thermoinsulation was closely correlated to the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue and significantly lower than the reported values in adult men.