JAKE J. PORTER III The association of subscapular and triceps skin-fold thickness with the risk of Diabetes in African American, Hispanic, and Caucasian Adults (Under the direction of IKE S. OKOSUN, Ph.D.) Background: Studies linking adiposity with chronic morbidity are often restricted to obesity defined by body mass index and/or waist circumference. Few studies have examined the relationship between adiposity defined using body habitus and chronic diseases. Objective: We examined the potential association of subscapular and triceps skin-fold thickness with the risk of diabetes in African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic American adults. Methods: Data (n=4,808) from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on each anthropometric measure. Statistical adjustments were made for several known covariates. Results: There were racial/ethnic differences in associations between subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: Skinfold thickness was associated with type 2 diabetes in White, Black and Hispanic Americans. Well designed public health strategies to enhance lifestyle modification programs to reduce weight gain may reduce aberrant fat distribution in these body regions and decreases in type 2 diabetes.