Abstract: Skinfold thickness of face, biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and the calf of 694 Han adults (152 urban males, 158 urban females, 201 rural males, 183 rural females) from Chuzhou County, Anhui Province were recorded and compared to other ethnic groups in China. This work showed the following results. Skinfold thickness on the trunk was thicker than on the limbs. Back skinfold thickness was thicker than on the abdomen. Facial skinfold thickness was lay in the middle of the measurements, whereas bicep skinfold thickness was the thinnest. Six skinfold thicknesses showed the most significant differences between the sexes but on average, females were thicker than males in the same age group. The values of these six skinfold thicknesses had a positive correlation with age. Generally, urban females were thinner than rural females, but urban males were thicker than rural males. In conclusion, skinfold thickness of males and females of Han from Anhui Province are close to the skinfold thickness traits of ethnic groups of the North Asian type of Mongoloid.

Key words: Skinfold thickness; Body fat; Age; Han; Anhui