Table 2.
Comparison of subcutaneous adiposity and fat distribution variables among four ethnic groups by sex (adjusted mean ± standard error)
| Chinese | Lebanese | Malays | Thais | Bonferroni comparisons | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boys | |||||
| Waist circumference (cm)※ | 66.7 ± 0.3§ | 64.1 ± 0.4 | 62.6 ± 0.3§ | 65.9 ± 0.4 | P < 0.001 C = T > L > M |
| Skinfold | |||||
| Biceps (mm)# | 7.9 ± 0.2 | 9.1 ± 0.3§ | 9.5 ± 0.2 | 6.6 ± 0.3 | P < 0.001 C = L = M > T |
| Triceps (mm)# | 15.5 ± 0.3 | 11.9 ± 0.4 | 13.0 ± 0.3 | 12.3 ± 0.4§ | P < 0.001 C > L = M = T |
| Subscapular (mm)# | 12.1 ± 0.4 | 11.4 ± 0.5 | 12.7 ± 0.4 | - | P = 0.115 |
| Supraspinale (mm)# | 15.1 ± 0.4 | 9.4 ± 0.5 | 12.1 ± 0.4 | 12.0 ± 0.5 | P < 0.001, C > M = T > L |
| Medial calf (mm)# | - | 14.1 ± 0.4 | 11.8 ± 0.3 | 10.1 ± 0.4§ | P < 0.001, L > M >T |
| Trunk (mm) # | 28.0 ± 0.7 | 21.6 ± 0.9 | 25.6 ± 0.8 | - | P < 0.001, C = M > L |
| Trunk/upper extremity ratio # | 1.15 ± 0.02 | 0.92 ± 0.03 | 0.99 ± 0.02 | - | P < 0.001, C > M > L |
| Supraspinale/upper extremity ratio # | 0.62 ± 0.01 | 0.42 ± 0.02§ | 0.48 ± 0.0§ | 0.60 ± 0.02 | P < 0.001, C = T > M > L |
| Subscapular/supraspinale ratio† | 0.88 ± 0.03 | 1.17 ± 0.04§ | 1.09 ± 0.04§ | - | P < 0.001, C < L = M |
| Girls | |||||
| Waist circumference (cm)※ | 63.4 ± 0.3 | 61.9 ± 0.3 | 59.7 ± 0.3 | 64.0 ± 0.3 | P < 0.001, C = T > L > M |
| Skinfold | |||||
| Biceps (mm)# | 7.7 ± 0.2 | 8.2 ± 0.2 | 9.7 ± 0.2 | 6.7 ± 0.2 | P < 0.001, M > L > C = T |
| Triceps (mm)# | 15.2 ± 0.3 | 11.7 ± 0.3 | 13.1 ± 0.3 | 13.2 ± 0.3 | P < 0.001, C > M = T > L |
| Subscapular (mm)# | 11.4 ± 0.3 | 9.8 ± 0.3 | 11.3 ± 0.3 | - | P = 0.003, C = M > L |
| Supraspinale (mm)# | 14.9 ± 0.4 | 10.0 ± 0.4 | 12.6 ± 0.4 | 13.1 ± 0.4 | P <0.001, C > M = T > L |
| Medial calf (mm)# | - | 14.5 ± 0.4 | 13.5 ± 0.3 | 11.9 ± 0.3 | P = 0.009, L > M = T |
| Trunk (mm) # | 26.2 ± 0.6 | 19.7 ± 0.7 | 23.9 ± 0.6 | - | P < 0.001,C > M > L |
| Trunk/upper extremity ratio # | 1.13 ± 0.02 | 0.94 ± 0.02 | 0.99 ± 0.02 | - | P < 0.001,C > L = M |
| Supraspinale/upper extremity ratio # | 0.63 ± 0.01 | 0.47 ± 0.01 | 0.52 ± 0.01 | 0.64 ± 0.01 | P < 0.001, C = T > M > L |
| Subscapular/supraspinale ratio† | 0.84 ± 0.02 | 1.06 ± 0.03 | 0.98 ± 0.03 | - | P < 0.001, L = M > C |
§ Significant difference in adjusted mean value between boys and girls within each ethnic group using ANCOVA with Bonferroni multiple comparisons procedure
※Adjusted for BMI and age
# Adjusted for body fat mass and age
† Adjusted for trunk fat
C: Chinese; L: Lebanese; M: Malays; T: Thais