Obesity and Diabetes in Blacks

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is more prevalent in the American Black population than in the White population. The prevalence is increasing in Blacks, and there is evidence that it is accompanied by a greater severity of diabetic complications. In addition, mortality figures are higher in Blacks, and Black women are more seriously affected than Black men. Although the reasons for this are unclear, some factors stand out as important. These include obesity, socioeconomic status, and genetics. Obesity is a severe problem in Blacks, particularly in women. Both the degree and the distribution of fat may contribute greatly to the prevalence of diabetes in Blacks. Although the prevalence of obesity is higher in the poor economic groups, multivariate analysis suggests that poverty cannot explain all of the excess obesity that occurs in the Black population. More research is needed into a possible genetic predisposition of Blacks to obesity and diabetes and into the interrelationship between the two conditions in this racial group.

Physical Training Improves Body Composition of Black Obese 7‐ to 11‐Year‐Old Girls

“…To our knowledge, no PT study has been reported on the effects of PT, without dietary intervention, on body composition of obese, black girls. Since black females are at especially high risk of obesity (18). it is important to evaluate strategies which might help deal with this problem in childhood.…”

The College Health and Wellness Study: Baseline Correlates of Overweight among African Americans

“…1 Obesity has been identified as a precursor to many chronic diseases and is probably the strongest risk factor for type 2 diabetes. 2,3 It is also well known that compared to their white counterparts, African Americans are disproportionately affected by the burden of type 2 diabetes. [3][4][5][6] Therefore, in African Americans it is crucial to examine weight-related factors early in life in order to prevent chronic disease that may develop in the middle years.…”

“…2,3 It is also well known that compared to their white counterparts, African Americans are disproportionately affected by the burden of type 2 diabetes. [3][4][5][6] Therefore, in African Americans it is crucial to examine weight-related factors early in life in order to prevent chronic disease that may develop in the middle years. The 1995 National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRBS) suggests that the prevalence of at least overweight is 48.7% in African American students compared to 34.6% in white students.…”

Development of the Multiple Metabolic Syndrome: An Epidemiologic Perspective

“…Findings in the Pima Indians (73,84) and the male population enrolled in the Paris Prospective Study (85) similarly indicated that fasting insulin levels (and other measures of insulin secretion and insulin resistance) predict the development of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus independent of obesity. It is unclear to what extent differences in body fat distribution, the level of obesity, and insulin resistance can explain the marked differences in prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in populations (67,76,(86)(87)(88)(89).…”