Is Body Fat Distribution Changed by Dieting?

Studies of fat distribution have generally relied on the ratio of circumference measurements, such as waist/hip, or waist/thigh. However, these circumferences do not increase at a uniform rate with increasing obesity, and fat is deposited relatively more in the antero-posterior axis of the trunk and limbs than laterally. With weight loss the waist/hip ratio does not change, but the waist/thigh ratio decreases. This is to be expected since in obesity there is a relatively greater deposition of fat at the waist than on the thighs. Serial studies of a small number of subjects with unusually large or small fat depots at particular sites suggest that these characteristics persist after weight loss. It is probable on theoretical grounds that (except in special cases, such as lactation) a similar proportion of fat is gained and lost in all fat depots, although the relative size of these depots differs between individuals.