Body size, body composition and fat distribution: comparative analysis of European, Maori, Pacific Island and Asian Indian adults

Abstract

Although there is evidence that Asian Indians, Polynesians and Europeans differ in their body fat (BF)-BMI relationships, detailed comparative analysis of their underlying body composition and build characteristics is lacking. We investigated differences in the relationships between body fatness and BMI, fat distribution, muscularity, bone mineral mass, leg length and age-related changes in body composition between these ethnic groups. Cross-sectional analysis of 933 European, Maori, Pacific Island and Asian Indian adult volunteers was performed for total and percentage of BF, abdominal fat, thigh fat, appendicular muscle mass, bone mineral content and leg length measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Asian Indian men and women (BMI of 24 and 26 kg/m 2 , respectively) had the same percentage of BF as Europeans with a BMI of 30 kg/m 2 or Pacific men and women with BMI of 34 and 35 kg/m 2 , respectively. Asian Indians had more fat, both total and in the abdominal region, with less lean mass, skeletal muscle and bone mineral than all other ethnic groups. Leg length was relatively longer in Pacific men and Asian and Pacific women than in other ethnic groups. In Asian Indians, abdominal fat increased with increasing age, while the percentage of BF showed little change. In the other ethnic groups, both abdominal and total BF increased with age. In conclusion, ethnic differences in fat distribution, muscularity, bone mass and leg length may contribute to ethnic-specific relationships between body fatness and BMI. The use of universal BMI cut-off points may not be appropriate for the comparison of obesity prevalence between ethnic groups.

Tracking of body mass indices over 2 years in Māori and European children

“…ship between Māori and European girls was shown (Rush et al, 2009), and this report shows more rapid accumulation of FM in Māori boys and girls from 5 to 7 years of age. BMI is often taken as the lingua franca of obesity.…”

“…However, any action, requires identification of both the early prediction factors and the critical periods for intervention (Lawlor and Chaturvedi, 2006). Gender and ethnic disparities in body composition have been found in crosssectional studies of New Zealand children (Rush et al, 2009). The most recent child nutrition survey (Ministry of Health, 2003a) showed the prevalence of overweight and obesity to be significantly higher in Māori (40%) and Pacific (60%) children compared with their European counterparts (24%).…”

Geographic variation in left ventricular mass and mass index: a systematic review

“…Compared with Caucasians, LBM is higher in American Blacks 46 and lower in Asian Indians. 8 Therefore in disease, LVH may be underdiagnosed in Asian Indians, where measured LVM may appear normal; however, their small build and low LBM is compatible with a lower LVM and as such will remain undetected. Indexation by BSA in this group with proportionally greater abdominal fat 'forgives' the effects of central fat or obesity on LVM, whereas indexing by a measure of LBM may avoid underestimating LVH.…”

“…However, in health LVM is largely determined by lean body mass (LBM), 5,6 and LVM indexed by BSA does not correctly identify pathological LVH in all people, especially when body composition is altered. 7 In addition, body composition varies across ethnic groups, 8,9 and indexation to BSA may not account for the resultant variation in LVM. We hypothesised that there may be geographical differences in the range of LVM owing to different ethnic distribution and thus different body size and composition.…”

Relationship between BMI and body fatness in three European countries

“…Several studies have reported this in Asian, African and indigenous populations, often compared with Caucasians. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] However, information is lacking on differences between, for example, various Caucasian populations within Europe.…”