RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BMI, PERCENTAGE OF BODY FAT AND BODY FAT DISTRIBUTION IN HEALTHY ADULTS / 营养学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and relation of body mass index (BMI) to body fat percentage and waist circumference in Chinese healthy adults. Methods: 1005 healthy adults were divided into five groups by BMI,which was made by WHO's recent classification of BMI for Asian adults. Anthropometric measurements (waist and hip circumference , skinfold thickness and ratio of waist and hip circumference) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were done in subjects. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity classⅠin males were significantly higher than in females. The prevalence of obesity classⅡwas lower both in males and in females. Females had higher percent body fat than males measured by BIA and by skinfold thickness measurements. BMI was significantly correlated with waist circumference in all age groups. Waist circumference was more than 80 cm in overweight females, and more than 90 cm in obesity classⅠin males. Conclusion: The age of overweight and obesity in males was younger than in females. The body fat in females was higher than in males. BMI cut off points for obesity diagnosis are over estimated much more than BIA and skinfold thickness measurements for percent body fat in adults. It should be noted that age, sex and physical activity need to be considered besides BMI when obesity is diagnosed.