Abstract
Purpose
This study evaluated the impact of obesity on cardiometabolic risk factors (CRF) interrelationships and predictive efficiency of CVD development in older African (AA) and European Americans (EA).
Design
A comparative research design evaluated CRF risk profile differences between participant groups.
Setting
Seven neighborhoods in a southern US city.
Subjects
A sample of 179 older AA (n = 128) and EA (n = 51) adults.
Measures
Non-fasting blood samples were evaluated for lipids and lipoproteins, glycosylated hemoglobin, systolic –(SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%) and physical function.
Analysis
Data were analysis with descriptive statistics, t-tests, and correlations.
Results
AA were heavier than EA although all had above average age-appropriate fitness. Means and relationships between CRF and other variables were different (P < .05) based on race. Both AA (41.3 + 5.8) and EA (38.6 + 6.4) BF% were CRF risks. Holding BMI constant, CRF were generally not related, and the relationships were different for AA and EA. AA had a range of 13.0 to 27.2% more favorable values for cholesterol, HDL-C, and triglyceride. EA had favorable A1c (EA 5.8 vs AA 6.2%) values.
Conclusions
A limitation of this report is the small sample size. Although further research is warranted, these findings suggest population specific CRF selections would improve CVD prediction in AA.
Keywords
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