Prediction of percentage body fat from anthropometric measurements: comparison of New Zealand European and Polynesian young women

The prediction of total body fat from simple anthropometric measurements was examined in 42 white (New Zealand European and 40 Polynesian women aged 18-27 y. Percentage body fat (%BF) was determined from measurements of total body water (TBW) by 18O dilution. Mean (+/- SD) body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) averaged 29.2 +/- 7.9 (range: 16.5-48.0) for the New Zealand European group and 31.2 +/- 7.9 (range: 19.8-51.8) for the Polynesian group, %BF calculated from TBW was similar in the two groups (40.5 +/- 9.9% for the New Zealand European compared with 39.1 +/- 7.5% for the Polynesian group). BMI was significantly correlated with height in the Polynesian group but not in the New Zealand European group. The relation between BMI and %BF was curvilinear for both groups. At a fixed %BF, BMI was higher in the Polynesian group than in the New Zealand European group. A BMI of 30 for the New Zealand European group corresponded to a BMI of 34 for the Polynesian group at an equivalent %BF (42%). Prediction equations for %BF developed from skinfold thicknesses or girth measurements were ethnicity dependent. We conclude that the BMI criterion for obesity in whites requires revision for use in Polynesians.