Relationship between BMI with percentage body fat and obesity in Singaporean adults - The Yishun Study

BackgroundThe main aim of this study was to the determine relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and percentage body fat (BF%) in Singaporean adults, derive a prediction model to estimate BF%, and to report population BF%. The secondary aim was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity based on BF% threshold and the new risk categories for obesity in Singaporean population.MethodsThis was a population-based study of 542 community-dwelling Singaporeans (21-90years old, 43.1% men). Anthropometry and body composition were assessed. Relationship between BMI and BF% were analysed using multiple regression models. Prevalence of overweight and obesity were estimated using WHO and Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) Clinical Practice Guidelines for BMI classification, and BF% cut-off points of 25 and 35% for men and women respectively.ResultsWe derived a prediction model to estimate BF% based on BMI, age and sex. The current cohort of Singaporeans when compared to Caucasians in the US and Europe as well as a Singapore cohort from 20years age have higher BF% when matched for BMI, age, and sex. The overall population-adjusted prevalence of obesity according to WHO International classification (BMI >= 30kg/m(2)) was 12.9% (14.9% men; 11.0% women); and 26.6% (30.7% men; 22.8% women) according to the MOH classification (BMI >= 27.5kg/m(2)). However, using the BF% cut-off (>25% for men and>35% for women) resulted in very high prevalence of obesity of 82.0% (80.2% men; 83.8% women).ConclusionThere is a large discrepancy between BF% and BMI measured obesity in Singaporean adults. The results confirmed that Singaporean adults have higher BF% at lower BMI compared to US and Europe white counterparts; and that BF% in our population has increased over two decades.

Automated summary

This study in Singaporean adults found discrepancies between BF% and BMI-measured obesity, with higher BF% at lower BMI compared to US and Europe white counterparts. Using BF% cutoff values resulted in a very high prevalence of obesity in the Singaporean population.