Abstract: In recent years, the research of body composition in China has made encouraging progress. To celebrate the academician, Xinzhi Wu, ninetieth birthday, and respond to questions raised by scholars in Anthropological Professional Committee of Chinese Anatomy Association held in Hohhot, promote research of body composition in our country, this paper collected the 730 publications at home and abroad since 1985 covering many topics from the research methods, its application and effectiveness, variation among populations to theory of body composition, and the like. By comparing with the current international latest research progress and analyzing them, the disparities were found out and suggestions were put forward in the future.

Key words: body composition; measurement methods; variation