LEAN BODY MASS AND FAT IN OBESE CHILDREN

Abstract

Measurements of total body potassium in obese children were made in the whole body scintillation counter, and from this value lean body mass was calculated, and then fat by difference. A series of normal children was available for comparison. There was a good correlation between total body fat and relative body weight, abdominal circumference, and buttocks circumference, and a fair correlation with triceps skin-fold thickness. Although the series is a small one, it suggests that there are two types of obesity in childhood. The first is characterized by increased LBM in addition to fat, by a tendency to tallness and advanced bone age, and to have been overweight since infancy. The second group shows no increase in LBM; these subjects tend to have a normal bone age, to be of average height, and the majority have become obese during the childhood years.