The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #38959

Amy Harley, MPH, RD, School of Public Health, The Ohio State University, 320 West 10th Avenue, B-222 Starling-Loving Hall, Columbus, OH 43210, 614-538-8713, harley.13@osu.edu and Richard R. Suminski, PhD, MPH, School of Physical Activity and Educational Services, The Ohio State University, 337 West 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210.

Obesity, or the presence of excess body fat, is a major disease risk factor. Feasible and accurate ways to assess body fat in large populations are needed. Because clinical methods of assessing body fat in large populations are impractical, BMI is often used to approximate excess body fat. Traditionally, universal BMI cut-points have been used for this purpose; however, they may not be appropriate for assessing excess body fat in certain ethnic groups. This study examined the use of BMI as a predictor of excess body fat in an ethnically diverse population of young adults. Measurements were taken on 4008 men and women who self-identified their ethnic descent as Asian American (25.3%), African American (20.4%), Caucasian (38.5%), or Hispanic (15.7%). BMI (kg/m2) was calculated from measured height and weight and percent body fat was estimated from skinfold measurements. Students were classified as having excess body fat if their percent body fat estimate exceeded 25% (men) and 33% (women). Sensitivity and specificity estimates were used as indicators of correct identification of excess body fat status by BMI. In men, the BMI points corresponding to the best combination of sensitivity and specificity estimates were 25, 26.5, 27, and 27 for Asian Americans, African Americans, Caucasians, and Hispanics, respectively. For women, the BMI points were 22, 25, 24, and 25 for Asian Americans, African Americans, Caucasians, and Hispanics, respectively. These data suggest that ethnic-specific BMI cut-points should be used to identify individuals with and without excess body fat.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Evaluate the use of Body Mass Index (BMI) to assess ethnically diverse populations of young adults.
• Recognize contraindications for the use of universal BMI cut-points illustrated in this study.
• Describe proposed adjustment of BMI cut-points for certain racial/ethnic groups of young adults.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.