Body composition in relation to ethnicity
Ethnicity appears to be an important determinant of the relative properties of fat and lean mass. People of Maori and Pacific descent have more lean body mass and less fat mass than those of European descent with the same body mass index (BMI). The converse applies to those of Asian descent. These observations have led to the suggestion that lower BMI cut-offs should be used to define overweight and obesity amongst Asians than Europeans and higher cut-offs should be used for Maori. However these suggestions do not take into account the apparently higher risk of the comorbidities associated with obesity. This research project which compares body composition and measures of comorbidities in those of Maori and European ethnicity aims to determine whether the international BMI cut-off for overweight and obesity should be applied to the Maori people of New Zealand.
Publications:
Taylor RW, Brooking L, Williams SM, Manning PJ, Sutherland WH, Coppell KJ, Tipene-Leach D, Dale KS, McAuley KA, Mann JI. Body mass index and waist circumference cutoffs to define obesity in indigenous New Zealanders. Am J Clin Nutr.2010; 92(2): 390-7.
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