title: Obesity and african americans: physiologic and behavioral pathways.
abstract: Although progress has been made to understand the association between physiological and lifestyle behaviors with regard to obesity, ethnic differences in markers of obesity and pathways towards obesity remain somewhat unexplained. However, obesity remains a serious growing concern. This paper highlights ethnic differences in African Americans and Caucasians that may contribute to the higher prevalence of obesity among African Americans. Understanding ethnic differences in metabolic syndrome criteria, functioning of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, variations in glucocorticoid sensitivity and insulin resistance, and physical activity and cardiovascular fitness levels may help to inform practical clinical and public health interventions and reduce obesity disparities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Military and Emergency Medicine (MEM), Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS), Room 26, Building 53, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
authors.forename: Preetha Anna
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.affiliation: Department of Military and Emergency Medicine (MEM), Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS), Room 26, Building 53, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
authors.forename: Josh Ben
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kazman
authors.affiliation: Department of Military and Emergency Medicine (MEM), Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS), Room 26, Building 53, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
authors.forename: Stacey Anne
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Zeno
authors.affiliation: Department of Military and Emergency Medicine (MEM), Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS), Room 26, Building 53, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia Anne
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Deuster