Environmental and Genetical Differences in Linear and Adiposity Dimen- sions Among Adolescents Boys

The present study comprises of cross sectional data on 414 Punjabi Khatri adolescent boys at a yearly interval from age 11 through 17 years. This group was compared with endogamous 140 Jat Sikhs, an agricultural land owning rural community, for profile of fatness. The anthropometric measurements taken on adolescent boys include weight, stature and skinfold thickness at biceps, triceps, suprailiac and medial calf. A gradual increase of weight from 11 to 16 years and a marginal increase from 16 to 17 years among the Punjabi Khatri boys is noticed, the same being true for stature also. The Jat Sikh boys increase gradually with peak increase in stature at 13-14 years of age followed by peak increase in weight at 14-15 years. Adolescent Punjabi khatri adolescents have more BMI than Jat Sikhs. Among the Punjabi khatri adolescent boys there is a fluctuation in fat content when calculated from GMT with maximum fat content at 12 years and in subsequent years it declines though pattern is inconsistent. As for Jat Sikh boys, maximum GMT is at 14 years and then fat decreases during the period. Biceps remains the site of minimum fat in all the age groups in both Punjabi khatri and Jat Sikh adolescent boys. The pattern is same in all the age groups in Punjabi khatri boys affirming the phenomenon of redistribution of fat away from extremity towards the trunk. As far as Jat Sikh adolescent boys are concerned there is an intersite shift at 17 years from suprailiac to medial calf deviating from the usual away from extremity towards the trunk. Suprailiac is the most sensitive site followed by medial calf in both adolescent Punjabi khatri and Jat Sikh boys.