Ethnic differences in adiposity and body composition: the First Nations bone health study.
The purpose of this study was to compare patterns of adiposity and soft tissue composition in First Nations and white Canadian women. A population-based cross-sectional study was performed. A random age-stratified sample of 206 urban First Nations women and 177 white women was recruited. Soft tissue composition was analyzed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models were used to assess ethnicity in models that adjusted for body mass, body mass index (BMI), and socio-demographic factors. Obesity (BMI>or=30.0 kg/m2) was more common in First Nations women (48.1%) than in white women (36.2%, Fisher's exact test p=0.012). Mean trunk fat tissue mass fraction and total body fat mass fraction (as a percent of soft tissue) were greater in First Nations women than in white women (p<0.0001). Trunk lean tissue was also greater in First Nations women (p=0.027), but total body lean tissue was similar. The mean trunk adiposity index was strongly related to ethnicity (First Nations +0.5%+/-2.5% versus white -1.7%+/-2.6%, p<0.0001). Preferential fat accumulation in the trunk of First Nations women persisted after adjustment for body mass, BMI, and other socio-demographic variables (p<0.0001). First Nations women differ from white women in terms of fat and lean tissue mass and distribution. First Nations women had a preferential increase in trunk fat and this may contribute to high reported rates of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular events.
Leslie
William D
WD
Faculty of Medicine (C5121), 409 Tache Ave., University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada. bleslie@sbgh.mb.ca
Weiler
Hope A
HA
Nyomba
B L Grégoire
BL
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density; D002170:Canada; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People