Short-term longitudinal changes in subcutaneous fat distribution and body size among Japanese women in the third decade of life.

This research clarified the changes in body shape among Japanese women aged in their 20's, by measuring the subcutaneous fat distribution over the whole body and its circumference at certain points. The subjects, 13 healthy women, were measured twice, once in their early 20's and 5 years later in their late 20's. Subcutaneous fat thickness was measured at 14 points on the body using the B-mode ultrasound method and the body size was measured directly at 8 points on the body using a steel measure. Subcutaneous fat thickness tends to increase with age, except at the cheek, neck, bust and leg. Significant increases were detected especially at lower parts of the trunk such as the waist and infragluteal region. Meanwhile, despite the significant change in subcutaneous fat thickness, the circumferences measured did not change, and also weight tended to decrease with age. Based on this finding, except for fat, body mass, such as muscle and bone, decreases with age due to decreased exercise and changes in calorie intake. Cluster analysis of the accumulation patterns of subcutaneous fat indicated that there were the following 3 patterns of subcutaneous fat accumulation from the early 20's to the late 20's. I. Accumulation on the whole trunk (bust, abdomen, waist and back) and upper arm--trunk/upper arm accumulation pattern. II. Significant accumulation around waist--waist accumulation pattern. III. Even accumulation at abdomen, side abdomen, hip and lower hip--abdomen/hip accumulation pattern.