Fat distribution in lean and obese young Indian women: a densitometric and anthropometric evaluation.

The pattern of fat distribution in lean and obese young Indian women was studied using seven girths and ten skinfold thicknesses. Though the lean and obese subjects differed significantly with respect to their body weight and total body fat content, body girths indicted that the proportion of fat distributed between the extremities and over the trunk region was essentially similar. By comparing skinfold thicknesses, it was observed that the fat women were merely an exaggeration of the fat profile pattern of the lean women. Although the pattern of subcutaneous fat distribution was similar in lean and obese subjects, the rate of fat deposition differed on different parts of the body with increase in total adiposity.