Body composition is an important factor in identifying populations at risk of metabolic disease including type-2 diabetes in South Asian children. Many equations for calculating body-fat percentage (BF %) from anthropometric methods have been developed among South-Asian children. The objective of this study was to compare the BF % derived from two different methods obtained from skinfold equations in Santal tribal and Bauri caste preschool children. In Purulia, 1012 (480 girls, 532 boys) rural children aged 2-6 years underwent anthropometric measurements. We conducted anthropometry, including biceps, triceps, sub-scapular, suprailiac and medial-calf skinfold thicknesses. Two previously published equations (Shaikh and Mahalanabis and Slaughter et al.,) were used to calculate BF % from anthropometric data. There was poor agreement between the two BF % values. The former equation over estimated the BF (%) while the latter equation tended to under-estimate BF (%). Thus, currently available skinfold equations do not accurately predict BF % in rural preschool children of Purulia, West Bengal, India. Further studies are needed using direct methods of determining body fat. Subsequently, validation studies using skinfolds should be undertaken to determine the sex and ethnic specific equations.