An increase in childhood obesity has become a global concern since childhood obesity often leads to adulthood obesity. This study aimed to investigate whether there is seasonal variation in fat patterning, and whether fat patterning is associated with seasons among the Ellisras population aged 5-15 years. A total of 1986 children and adolescents (1034 boys and 952 girls) aged 5-15 enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Skinfold measurements were obtained using standard procedures. Obesity prevalence was determined using frequency analysis. The correlation between obesity and two seasons was tested using multinomial regression analysis. The results showed that girls aged 11-15 years had significantly (p ≤ 0.03) larger median fat variables (triceps, biceps, and suprailiac) in spring compared to autumn. The prevalence of obesity ranged from 3-11% with boys being more obese (4-11%) than girls (3-7%) aged 5-15. Regression analysis showed a negative significant (p ≤ 0.001) correlation between autumn and obesity by the subscapular/(subscapular+triceps) (SST) ratio, both unadjusted -2.991 (95%CI -3.233:-2.803) and adjusted -2.897 (95% CI -4.331:-1.629). The findings of the study showed that there was seasonal variation in fat patterning among boys and girls in the Ellisras population and that fat patterning is associated with seasons.
Keywords: South Africa; fat patterning; rural children and adolescents; seasonal variation.