Comparison of Body Mass Index (BMI) categories based on Asian and universal standards and language spoken at home among Asian American university students

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda

The study examines how applying Asian-specific BMI cutoff standards versus universal standards changes overweight/obese classification among Asian American university students, and whether age, gender, acculturation, living arrangements, and language spoken at home relate to BMI and body fat percentage (BF%). Data from 170 Asian students in a California health course were analyzed. Asian BMI cutoffs significantly reduced normal-weight categorization. Language was not significantly associated with BMI, while acculturation patterns differed by gender. Asian-specific cutoffs may better fit clinical practice where obesity-related conditions occur at lower BMI/BF% thresholds.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Changing BMI classifications for Asians

Overweight/obesity among Asian American University Students

Results and Discussion

Research Article comparison of body Mass Index (bMI) categories based on Asian and universal Standards and language Spoken at home among Asian American university Students Tiffany Ng, ShariMcMahan, MicheleMouttapa, Sora Park Tanjasiri, and William Beam ABSTRACT Background: The World Health Organization released lower Body Mass Index (BMI) cutoff points for Asian individuals to account for increased body fat percentage (BF%) and risk of obesity-related conditions at a lower body mass index. Purpose: This preliminary study: (1) explores the impact of utilizing Asian BMI standards (compared to universal standards) on the overweight/obese categorization of Asian females and males; and (2) determines whether age, gender, acculturation, and living arrangements are associated with BMI and BF%. Methods: Data on demographic variables, height and weight, BF%, living situation, and language spoken at home were collected from 170 Asian students enrolled in a health course at a public university in California. Results: When Asian BMI cutoffs were applied, categorization of Asian males and females as normal weight decreased significantly. Language spoken at home was not significantly associated with BMI; however, acculturated females tended to have higher BMIs than nonacculturated females, while acculturated males tended to have lower BMIs than non-acculturated males. Discussion: Utilization of Asian-specific BMI cutoffs will significantly increase the reported prevalence of overweight and obesity among Asians. Acculturation to the United States may be a risk factor for overweight/obesity especially among Asian females. Translation to Health Education Practice: Asian-specific BMI cutoffs may be appropriate in clinical settings, given that overweight-obesity related conditions occur at relatively lower rates of BMI and BF% among Asians. Ng T, McMahan S, Moutappa M, Tanjasiri SP, Beam W. Comparison of Body Mass Index (BMI) categories based on Asian and universal standards and language spoken at home among Asian American university students Am J Health Educ. 2009;40(1):37-44. This paper was submitted to the Journal on August 8, 2007, revised and accepted for publication on September 30, 2008. bAckGRound The battle against obesity has become one of the greatest public health challenges of the twenty-first century.1 Prevalence of obesity in the Asia-Pacific regions of the world have typically been lower than that in Europe or the United States.1 However, increases in urbanization and westernization of many developing countries are now resulting in increased prevalence of overweight and obesity with trends towards more sedentary lifestyles and energy-dense diets with increased fat content.2 Overweight and obesity are major con- tributing factors for cardiovascular diseases in America; the first and second leading cause of death among Asian American and Pacific Islander men and women, respectively.3, 4 Asian American and Pacific Islander Tiffany Ng is a research associate in the CSUF Department of Health Science, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92834; E-mail: [tiffany.ng@csu.fullerton.edu. Shari](tiffany.ng@csu.fullerton.edu. Shari)[ ](tiffany.ng@csu.fullerton.edu. Shari)McMahan, is professor and chair in the CSUF Department of Health Science, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92834. Michele Mouttapa is an assistant professor in the (AAPI) populations are among the fastest growing minority populations in the United States.5 California has the highest percentage (12.1%) of Asian individuals in the United States6 as well as the highest annual CSUF Department of Health Science, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92834. Sora Park Tanjasiri is a professor in the CSUF Department of Health Science, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92834. William Beam is an associate professor in the CSUF Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullert

FAQs

What is the main purpose of comparing Asian-specific and universal BMI standards?

To determine how using Asian BMI standards instead of universal standards affects overweight/obese categorization among Asian females and males, and to assess associated factors such as age, gender, acculturation, living arrangements, and home language.

How was language spoken at home related to BMI and BF%?

Language spoken at home was not significantly associated with BMI in the study, although other variables showed meaningful gender-specific associations.

What does the study suggest about using Asian-specific BMI cutoffs in clinical settings?

Asian-specific BMI cutoffs may be appropriate clinically because overweight/obesity related conditions occur at relatively lower BMI and BF% levels among Asians.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda