Skinfold change with aging in adult females of Maonan nationality in Guangxi province of China / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Skinfold thickness instrument was used to analyze the distribution and development of subcutaneous fat. This method is simple, economic, and widely used. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the body fat development and age changes in female adults from Maonan nationality in Guangxi province. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The cluster sampling investigation was performed at the Department of Anatomy, Basic College, Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities from September to October 2006. PARTICIPANTS: Using random sampling method, 533 healthy adult females of Maonan nationality and aged 25-75 years were selected from Huanjiang county of Guangxi province. They all live in Huanjiang count for over 10 years and their parents were also Maonan nationality. Taking five years were served as a group, totally 10 groups. METHODS: The indexes were measured and calculated by professionals according to Handbook of Human Measure. The equipment was modified skinfold thickness instrument. The database was set up in computer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Skinfold thickness of triceps brachii, anterior superior iliac spine, inferior angle of scapula and gastrocnemius. Four indexes were compared with other groups in China. RESULTS: The torso skinfold was thicker than limb ones. Skinfold thickness decreased with age after it came to the maximum. Compared with other minornationalities, the skinfold of Maonan adult females in Huanjiang of Guangxi province was thinner than Daur and Uzbek, but thicker than Bouyei nationality. CONCLUSION: The skinfold thickness of Chinese Maonan nationality in Guangxi province has a wavy change. It is thicker than Bouyei nationality and thinner than those in Dong nationality and Daur nationality and Uzbek nationality.