A study was conducted to assess gender differences of body fat distribution (i. e., total body fat mass, subcutaneous fat mass, and internal fat mass) in a homogeneous group of Japanese children. Body composition was estimated in 141 boys and 139 girls (aged 3-6 yr) using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) . All subjects were apparently healthy. Determinations of impedance were made using a four-terminal impedance analyzer (TP-95 K, Toyo Physical, Inc., Fukuoka) . The lean body mass (LBM) was calculated using the equation of Kushuner et al. (1992) and Goran et al. (1993) . Total body fat mass (TFM) was calculated as the difference between body weight and LBM. The subcutaneous fat mass (SFM) was calculated using a modification of the equation derived by Skerjl et al. (1953) . The internal fat mass (IFM) was calculated as the difference between TFM and SFM. From ages 3 through 6 years, the mean LBM increased with age in boys and girls, but showed no significant gender differences. There were also no obvious gender differences in TFM and IFM within the same age range. Percentage body fat decreased in both sexes until the age of approximately 5-yr, and then increased again slightly at 6 yr, although it showed no significant differences between the sexes. The gender-specific pattern of fat accumulation during childhood was characterized by an almost steady increase of SFM in girls. These differences were independent of gender differences in physical characteristics.