Differences in body composition between black and white women have been well established. These ethnic differences in body composition appear to be associated with disease risk in women. Biological differences exist in the body composition of blacks and whites.
Key Differences in Body Composition
Black women have more bone and muscle mass, but less fat, as a percentage of body weight, than white women, after controlling for ethnic differences in age, body weight, and height. In addition, black women have more upper-body fat than white women.
In general, blacks have a greater bone mineral density and body protein content than do whites, resulting in a greater fat-free body density. Additionally, there are racial differences in the distribution of subcutaneous fat and the length of the limbs relative to the trunk.
Impact on Health
The greater skeletal and muscle mass in black compared to white women appears to protect them from osteoporosis. The relationship between fat distribution and cardiovascular disease also appears to be influenced by ethnicity.
Central adiposity, the buildup of excess fat on or in the trunk, is a strong risk factor for obesity and diabetes, high blood pressure, other diseases, and early death.
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Genetic Ancestry and Adiposity
Among black men, those with more genetic variants descended from West Africa may have a relatively lower risk of being overweight, obese and diabetic, according to a new study out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and University of Arizona.
Investigators from UAB and the University of Arizona analyzed genetic data from 4,425 healthy black men and women between the ages of 45 and 85. Genetic ancestry, or the proportion of one’s ancestors who hailed from one part of the world versus another, for each participant was estimated by looking at 3,000 variants or markers in the genome, which differ between people from West Africa and Europe.
Black men with a high degree of West African genetic ancestry tended to have a lower waist circumference and waist-hip ratio, indicating they have less central adiposity or abdominal fat than did black men with a lower degree of West African genetic ancestry.
“The African-American gene pool may contain one or more gene variants, originally inherited from West African ancestors, that may give men partial protection against central adiposity,” said Allison, Quetelet Endowed Professor of Public Health.
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Practical Significance
Because most equations that predict relative body fat were derived from predominantly white samples, biological variation between the races in these body-composition indexes has practical significance. The possibility that these differences are a result of ethnicity rather than of race is also examined.
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Table: Comparison of Body Composition Traits
| Trait | Black Individuals | White Individuals |
|---|---|---|
| Bone Mineral Density | Greater | Lower |
| Muscle Mass | More | Less |
| Body Fat (as % of body weight) | Less | More |
| Upper-Body Fat | More | Less |
| Body Protein Content | Greater | Lower |
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