The purpose of this study was to characterize the association between HDL particle size (assessed by fractional esterification rate in apo B depleted plasma (FERHDL)), and anthropometric measures in men and women of Chinese, European and South Asian origin and to determine if ethnic background is a modifier of this relationship. A convenience sample of apparently healthy men and women of Chinese (n=56), European (n=66) or South Asian (n=76) descent were recruited and assessed for body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids, insulin, glucose and FERHDL. Univariate correlations with FERHDL were determined within each ethnic-gender group. Regression analysis was used to determine if ethnicity was a significant modifier of the relationship between FERHDL and waist circumference. FERHDL was significantly correlated with various anthropometric measures within the ethnic and gender groups. The relationship between waist circumference and FERHDL was significantly different between the European, and Chinese and South Asian groups combined in women, but not in men. After adjustment for age, body mass index and insulin, ethnicity was no longer a significant predictor. However, ethnic background (European vs. Chinese/South Asian) was a significant predictor (P=0.034) of the relationship between FERHDL and waist circumference adjusted for age, gender, body mass index and insulin in the entire cohort. Increasing adiposity in Chinese and South Asian men and women is associated with a less protective HDL particle profile. Ethnic background (Asian compared to European) is a significant modifier of the relationship between FERHDL and waist circumference.