CHANGE IN BODY WEIGHT AND BODY COMPOSITION IN AFRICAN MINE RECRUITS

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Abstract
African labourers in South African gold mines gain weight after recruitment ; 60 per cent of the increase occurs in the first month and the total gain is achieved by the third or fourth month. A study of skinfold thickness values (as an estimate of the fat content of the body) at various sites, measured at the same time as body weights on groups of mine recruits, showed that certain skinfold sites correlated highly with change in weight, implying a change in body composition following recruitment. More precise estimations of body composition (changes in which are-likely to affect an individual's efficiency and capacity for manual work) could be made at the time of a man's recruitment and again after 3 months, and be a useful tool in the classification and allocation of labour.