Body composition assessment and coronary heart disease risk factors among college students of three ethnic groups.
OBJECTIVE
This study identified and compared anthropometric measurements, body composition and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors among college students of three ethnic groups.


METHODS
Subjects were assessed for cardiovascular risk. Body composition analysis was performed using the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA).


RESULTS
Black non-Hispanic females (30%) were significantly (p < 0.017) more in the "overweight" category compared to white non-Hispanic females (6.7%). Black non-Hispanic females had significantly (p < 0.044) higher percentages of body fat and lower percentages of body lean, and significantly (p < 0.040) lower percentages of body water than white non-Hispanic females. Significant positive correlations were found between CHD Risk Point Standard (CHDRPS) and percentages of body fat in white non-Hispanic males (p < 0.005), Hispanic males (p < 0.016) and Hispanic females (p < 0.001). Significant inverse correlations were found between CHDRPS and percentages of body water in white non-Hispanic males (p < 0.004), Hispanic males (p < 0.013) and Hispanic females (p < 0.001): body lean in white non-Hispanic males (p < 0.005), Hispanic males (p < 0.016) and Hispanic females (p < 0.001); and lean/fat ratio in white non-Hispanic males (p < 0.008), Hispanic males (p < 0.030), black non-Hispanic males (p < 0.020) and Hispanic females (p < 0.008).


CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of overweight justifies a high priority for weight control in young adults in an effort to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) later in life.
Koutoubi
Samer
S
School of Nutrition and Exercise Science, Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore, WA 98028, USA. skoutoub@bastyr.edu
Huffman
Fatma G
FG
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000208:ethnology*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data