Abstract: Physical characteristic values of rural Chinese Han living in 36 areas around China were measured from 2009 to 2013. Fat mass index (Ifm) and lean mass index (Ilm) were calculated and the correlation between these indices and latitude determined. The results showed that male Ilm was positively correlation with latitude, but there were no correlation between Ifm and latitude (P>0.05). In females, there were positive correlations between Ifm, Ilm and latitude, respectively (P<0.01). Male Ilm values were linear increasing from south to north, which explains why Im correlated with latitude. Both female Ilm and Ifm increased linearly thus showing a correlation between Im and latitude.

Key words: Fat mass; Lean mass; latitude; Han