Body size and composition in Polynesians.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the relationship between body size and body composition in New Zealanders of Polynesian and European descent and to develop specific regression equations for fat mass for Polynesians.


METHODS
189 Maori (93 males, 96 females), 185 Samoans (88 males, 97 females) and 241 Europeans (89 males, 152 females) aged 20-70 y.


METHODS
Height, weight, four skinfold thicknesses, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).


RESULTS
At higher body mass index levels, Polynesians (Maori and Samoans combined) had a significantly higher ratio of lean mass:fat mass compared with Europeans. Four multiple regression equations incorporating resistance and reactance, height and weight, sum of four skinfolds or sum of two skinfolds were developed in two-thirds of the Polynesian participants using DXA fat mass as the dependent variable. In the remaining one-third of participants, the mean difference between fat mass predicted by these equations (r2 range 0.89-0.93) and DXA fat mass ranged from -0. 06 to +0.25 kg (s.d. -3.67 to +3.71 kg).


CONCLUSIONS
At higher BMI levels, Polynesians were significantly leaner than Europeans, implying the need for separate BMI definitions of overweight and obesity for Polynesians. The regression equations using BIA, height and weight or skinfold thicknesses were good predictors of body composition in Polynesians.
Swinburn
B A
BA
Department of Community Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. b.swinburn@auckland.ac.nz
Ley
S J
SJ
Carmichael
H E
HE
Plank
L D
LD
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D001824:Body Constitution; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D005060:Europe / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D011114:Polynesia / Q000208:ethnology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012885:Skinfold Thickness