Background: It was suggested that body fat distribution differs across ethnic groups, and this may be important when considering risk of disease. Previous studies have not adequately investigated differences in discrete regions of abdominal adiposity across ethnic groups. Objective: We compared the relation between abdominal adipose tissue and total body fat between persons living in Canada of Aboriginal, Chinese, and South Asian origin with persons of European origin. Design: Healthy Aboriginal, Chinese, European, and South Asian participants (n = 822) aged between 30 and 65 y were matched by sex, ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI; in kg/m²) range. Total abdominal adipose tissue (TAT), subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), total body fat mass, lifestyle, and demographics were assessed. Relations between BMI and total body fat, TAT, SAT, and VAT and between total body fat and TAT, SAT, and VAT were investigated. Results: BMI significantly underestimated VAT in all non-European groups. Throughout a range of total body fat mass, VAT was not significantly different between the Aboriginals and the Europeans. With total body fat >9.1 kg, Chinese participants had increasingly greater amounts of VAT than did the Europeans (P for interaction = 0.008). South Asians had less VAT with total body fat >37.4 kg but more VAT below that amount than did Europeans (P for interaction < 0.001). Conclusion: Compared with Europeans, the Chinese and South Asian cohorts had a relatively greater amount of abdominal adipose tissue, and this difference was more pronounced with VAT. No significant differences were observed between the Aboriginals and the Europeans.

Objective: To compare the prediction of percentage body fat using BMI and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) using waist circumference (WC) in individuals of Chinese, European, and South Asian origin.Research Methods and Procedures: Healthy men and women of Chinese, European, and South Asian origin (n = 627) between the ages of 30 and 65 years were recruited to ensure equal distribution of gender and representation across BMI ranges (18.5 to 24.9, 25 to 29.9, and ≥30 kg/m²). Participants were assessed for demographics, anthropometry, lifestyle, and regional adiposity. Percentage body fat and VAT were measured by DXA and computer tomography scan, respectively.Results: BMI and WC were highly correlated with total and regional measures of adiposity in each ethnic group. At any BMI, the percentage body fat of Chinese participants was similar to that of Europeans, but that of South Asians was greater by 3.9% (p < 0.001). Above a WC of 71.0 cm, the Chinese participants had an increasingly greater amount of VAT than the Europeans (p = 0.017 for interaction). South Asians had significantly more VAT than the Europeans at all but the most extreme WC (above 105 cm) (p < 0.05).Discussion: Compared with Europeans, percentage body fat was higher for a given BMI in South Asians, whereas VAT was higher for a given WC in both Chinese and South Asian men and women. These findings support the use of ethnic‐specific anthropometric targets.

Context: Body fat distribution varies among different ethnic groups, yet less is known regarding differences in lean mass and how this may affect insulin resistance. Objective: Our objective was to compare total body fat to lean mass ratio (F:LM) in Aboriginal, Chinese, European, and South Asian individuals with differences in insulin resistance. Participants, Design, and Setting: Aboriginal (196), Chinese (222), European (202), and South Asian (208) individuals were recruited across a range of body mass index to participate in this cross-sectional community study. Main Outcome Measures: Total body fat, lean mass, and insulin resistance were assessed using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Results: After adjustment for confounders and at a given body fat, South Asian men had less lean mass than Aboriginal [3.42 kg less; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.55–5.29], Chinese (3.01 kg less; 95% CI = 1.33–4.70), and European (3.57 kg less; 95% CI = 1.82–5.33) men, whereas South Asian women had less lean mass than Aboriginal (1.98 kg less; 95% CI = 0.45–3.50), Chinese (2.24 kg less; 95% CI = 0.81–3.68), and European (2.97 kg less; 95% CI = 1.67–4.27) women. In adjusted models, F:LM was higher in South Asian compared with Chinese and European men and higher in South Asian compared with Aboriginal, Chinese, and European women (P < 0.01 for all). Insulin and HOMA were greatest in South Asians after adjustment; however, these differences were no longer apparent when F:LM was considered. Conclusions: South Asians have a phenotype of high fat mass and low lean mass, which may account for greater levels of insulin and HOMA compared with other ethnic groups.

Dietary acculturation, specifically the adoption of western dietary habits, may result in adverse health effects such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the role of acculturation in dietary patterns as well as awareness and knowledge of healthy nutrition among South Asian immigrants. This is an especially important population to target as South Asians have higher prevalence rates of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which may be magnified with immigration. The current investigation is a sub-study of the Multi-Cultural Community Health Assessment Trial (M-CHAT). There were 207 participants of South Asian origin included in the initial study, 129 were born outside of Canada and had immigrated after the age of 18. The length of residence in Canada was used as a marker for acculturation. A questionnaire addressing perceived changes in dietary patterns, food preparation, and nutrition knowledge and awareness since immigration was used to assess dietary practices. The association between length of residence and variables related to perceived changes in dietary patterns was explored with Spearman correlation and significant associations were subsequently analyzed with ordinal logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, education and body mass index. South Asian immigrants in Canada reported a variety of positive dietary practices, including an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and an improvement in food preparation (including an increase in grilling and a decrease in deep frying when cooking). However, there was a reported increase in the consumption of convenience foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, red meat and in dining out. South Asian immigrants in Canada reported a variety of positive dietary practices including an improvement in food preparation. Future health promotion strategies should encourage cultural sensitivity in efforts to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverage, convenience foods and to encourage eating at home rather than dining out.