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Differences in body composition between Singapore Chinese, Beijing Chinese and Dutch children

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 57, pages 405–409 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BF%) in children of different ethnic background.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting: The study was performed in three different locations, Singapore, Beijing and Wageningen (The Netherlands).

Subjects: In each centre 25 boys and 25 girls, aged 7–12 y, were selected. They were matched on age, sex and body height.

Methods: Body weight and body height was measured following standardized procedures. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight/height squared (kg/m2). Body fat was measured by densitometry in Beijing and Wageningen and by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in Singapore. The DXA measurements in Singapore were validated against densitometry.

Results: There were no significant differences in BF% or BMI within each gender group across the three study sites. However, after controlling for (non-significant) differences in age and BF%, the Singapore children had a lower (mean±s.e.) BMI (15.6±0.3) than the Beijing 17.6±0.3) and Wageningen (16.9±0.3) children. For the same BMI, age and sex the Singapore children had a significant higher BF% (24.6±0.7) than the Beijing (19.2±0.8) and Wageningen (20.3±0.7) children.

Conclusions: The study strongly suggests that the relationship between BF% and BMI (or weight and height) is different among children of different ethnic background. Consequently growth charts and BMI cut-off points for underweight, overweight and obesity in children may have to be ethnic-specific.

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Acknowledgements

Nestlé Foundation sponsored the body composition studies in Beijing. The body composition measurements in Wageningen were part of various projects on children, carried out at the Wageningen University. The authors are grateful to the children who participated in the studies.

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Author notes

  1. G Schmidt

    Present address: William Paterson University, New Jersey, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutrition Consultant, Singapore and Visiting Professor, University ‘Tor Vergata’, Rome, Italy

    P Deurenberg

  2. Research and Information Management, Health Promotion Board, Singapore

    M Deurenberg-Yap & L F Foo

  3. National University of Singapore, Singapore

    M Deurenberg-Yap

  4. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

    G Schmidt

  5. Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Beijing, People's Republic of China

    J Wang

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Contributions

Guarantor: P Deurenberg.

Contributors: Data were collected by PD, GS and JW. PD and MD-Y conducted the statistical analyses and wrote the draft paper. All authors contributed to the final version.

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Correspondence to P Deurenberg.

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Deurenberg, P., Deurenberg-Yap, M., Foo, L. et al. Differences in body composition between Singapore Chinese, Beijing Chinese and Dutch children. Eur J Clin Nutr 57, 405–409 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601569

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