COMPARISON OF ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS AND BODY COMPOSITION OF NATIVE JAPANESE AND AMERICAN COLLEGE AGE STUDENTS

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare anthropometric and body composition measurements of native Japanese and American caucasian college age students. METHODS: Fifteen Japanese males (stature, 173.3 ± 4.5 cm; body mass, 67.9 ± 9.52 kg) and females (stature, 160.3 ± 5.4 cm; body mass, 52.0 ± 8.40 kg) and 10 American males (stature, 175.2 ± 6.8 cm; body mass, 74.9 ± 9.65 kg) and females (stature, 162.5 ± 5.6 cm; body mass, 62.5 ± 7.83 kg) participated in this study. Anthropometric comparisons were made for eight skinfold thicknesses (SK), 13 girths, and two breadths. Body composition was determined by hydrodensitometry at residual lung volume. Body fat percentage was calculated with the Siri equation. The ratios of SK to fat mass (FM), girths to body mass (BM), and breadths to stature were calculated to examine the relative differences between the Japanese and Americans. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in FM and percent body fat. Japanese had significantly lower fat free mass (FFM) than Americans for both genders. FFM was 47.7 ± 6.49 kg and 40.4 ± 5.30 kg for American and Japanese females, respectively. FFM was 65.8 ± 7.38 kg and 56.3 ± 7.10 kg for American and Japanese males, respectively. No significant differences were found in skinfold thickness between the Japanese and Americans. SK ratios were greater in Japanese females than in American females. The sum of 7 SK ratio was 7.6 ± 1.8 and 9.1 ± 2.4 mm/kg for American and Japanese females. SK ratios were lower in Japanese males than in American males. The sum of 7 SK ratio was 9.1 ± 3.5 and 8.0 ± 1.8 mm/kg for American and Japanese males. The Japanese males had significantly smaller girths, especially in the upper body, while they had significantly greater lower body girth ratios. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Japanese college age males and females have a similar body fat mass but smaller fat free mass than Americans. Japanese females store fat subcutaneously in comparison with American females. Japanese males have greater lower body muscle development, and store fat internally in comparison with American males.