Level of body fat percentage among adults aged 18-65 years old in 15 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) of China in 2015 and its relationship with body mass index

Abstract

To describe the regional and population-related differences in body fat percentage(BF%) and fat quality among 18-65 years old adults in 15 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities) of China in 2015, and analyze the relationship between body fat percentage and body mass index(BMI). A total of 10 561 adults aged 18-65 years old who have complete physical measurements and relevant demographic economic data from the 2015 China Nutritional Transition Cohort Study were included. Body fat percentage and weight were measured using the bioelectrical impedance analysis. Body fat percentage and fat quality of different genders were described among different age groups, education levels, incomes, regions, urban and rural areas. And the obesity prevalence defined by body fat percentage(recommended by WHO) was described. In 2015, the body fat percentage and fat quality of adult women aged 18-65 in 15 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities)were 33. 6% and 19. 5 kg, respectively, and adult males were 23. 0% and 15. 7 kg. Body fat percentage and fat quality were higher in the North than in the South(P<0. 0001). There were statistical differences in body fat percentage and fat quality among men of different ages, educational levels, incomes, regions and urban and rural populations(P<0. 0001). There were differences in body fat percentage and fat quality among women of different ages, educational levels, regions(P<0. 0001), and no differences in incomes and urban and rural areas. According to the body fat percentage(recommended by WHO), the prevalence of obesity of women was 42. 0% increasing by age, and the prevalence of obesity of women aged 60-65 was as high as 52. 4%. The prevalence of obesity of men was 37. 1%, which increased with age, but decreased in the 60-65 age group. The prevalence of obesity of males and females in northern regions was 41. 9% and 45. 6%, respectively, which was significantly higher than in the southern regions(34. 3% and 39. 9%). BMI was closely related to BF%, but in overweight people, more than 50% of people defined by body fat percentages reached obesity. In 2015, there were significant regional and population differences in body fat percentage and fat quality among adults of different genders in 15 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities), and the prevalence of obesity in the North was significantly higher than that in the South.