Asians have lower body mass index (BMI) but higher percent body fat than do whites: comparisons of anthropometric measurements.

We studied the correlations between body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (fat%) measured by dual-photon absorptiometry (DPA) in 445 white and 242 Asian adults aged 18-94 y. In addition, comparisons in six circumferences and eight skinfold-thickness measurements between whites and Asians were made to explain the discrepancies. Although Asians had lower BMI, they were fatter than whites of both sexes. The correlations between fat% and BMI varied by BMI and sex and race. Comparisons in anthropometry show that Asians had more subcutaneous fat than did whites and had different fat distributions from whites. Asians had more upper-body subcutaneous fat than did whites. The magnitude of differences between the two races was greater in females than in males. Prediction equations developed for each sex and race, based on BMI alone, gave SEEs ranging from 4.4% to 5.7%. All were significantly improved to the range of 3.5-4.4% when age and several skinfold-thickness measurements were added.