No, fat distribution is crucial for risk assessment. This is mainly mesenteric fat, which is responsible for insulin-resistance and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Asians have comparably higher body fat percentage than Caucasians and they don't have higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Total body fat depends heavily on subcutaneous fat, which isn't very hormonally and metabolically active.
Methods correlated with diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular risks, from best to worse:
ultrasonographic measurement of mesenteric fat thickness,
waist circumference,
BMI,
MRI measurement of abdominal fat,
waist-hip ratio,
MRI measurement of visceral fat,
ultrasonographic measurement of preperitoneal fat thickness,
subcutaneous fat thickness,
for healthy population.
Currently measuring waist circumference is gold standard, while assessing risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, while BMI and waist-hip ratio give reliable results too. Sonographic measurement of visceral fat thickness may become standard in the future. Total body fat repeatedly failed as predicting factor.
While exercising is commendable you should measuring your waist circumference, as indicator of your fitness.
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