Differences in resting energy expenditure in African-American vs Caucasian overweight females.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine differences in both resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) between overweight African-American and Caucasian women of comparable age and body mass index (BMI).


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
REE was assessed in 41 women (22 African-American and 19 Caucasian) who were recruited to participate in this study. The African-American women were aged 36.4+/-5.7 y with a BMI of 32.6+/-5.4 kg/m2, and the Caucasian women were aged 35.4+/-5.7 y with a BMI of 31.3+/-3.4 kg/m2.


METHODS
Body composition was assessed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). REE was assessed via the dilution technique following an overnight fast.


RESULTS
REE was lower in African-Americans (7279+/-825 kJ/d) compared to Caucasians (7807+/-854 kJ/d) (P = 0.051). Analysis of covariance showed that REE remained significantly lower in African-American women after correcting for body weight and lean body mass. There was no effect of ethnicity on RQ.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that there is a significant difference in REE between Caucasian and African-American overweight women. This difference in REE may contribute to the higher rates of obesity found in the African-American population. This difference may also partially explain the smaller weight losses typically seen in African-American women when compared to Caucasian women enrolled in a weight loss program.
Jakicic
J M
JM
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15213, USA.
Wing
R R
RR
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D044383:Black People; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American