Estimation of the circumferences of various sites on women’s bodies from physical composition components would be very useful in evaluations of women’s physiques. In this study, we investigated the validity of such estimations using multiple regression analysis with body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage as independent variables and circumferences of various parts of the body as dependent variables, based on the relationship between the two variables of BMI and body fat percentage as physical components and the circumferences of various parts of the body. The subjects were 395 female Japanese university students. The measures were height, weight, body fat percentage, lower chest circumference, abdominal circumference, hip circumference, upper arm circumference, forearm circumference, wrist circumference, thigh circumference, calf circumference, and minimum calf circumference. The multiple correlation between the various measured circumferences and BMI and body fat percentage was obtained, and an estimation formula for each circumference was prepared. There was a significant multiple correlation (p<0.01) between the total circumference of all the body sites used in this study and BMI and body fat percentage. For the estimated values of the circumferences of each body site obtained in this study, the residual was within a range of ±0.02 and the standard deviation was about 3-7% with respect to the mean value. Thus, it is thought to be possible to accurately estimate the size (circumference) of various body sites using BMI and body fat percentage. However, significant systematic error was seen, meaning that error due to the method of measurement exists between the estimated and actual measurement values for circumference. However, a very high correlation was seen between the estimated and actual measurement values and the validity of estimating circumferences of various body sites from BMI and body fat percentage is thought to be shown.
