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.
Faculty of Medicine (C5121), 409 Tache Ave., University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada. bleslie@sbgh.mb.ca
William D
WD
Leslie
Hope A
HA
Weiler
B L Grégoire
BL
Nyomba
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