Racial differences in subcutaneous and visceral fat distribution in postmenopausal black and white women

• Published in: Metabolism, clinical and experimental clinical and experimental, 2003-02, Vol.52 (2), p.186-191
• Main Authors: Kanaley, J.A., Giannopoulou, I., Tillapaugh-Fay, G., Nappi, J.S., Ploutz-Snyder, L.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdomen; Adipose Tissue - anatomy & histology; African Continental Ancestry Group; Biological and medical sciences; Cholesterol, LDL - blood; European Continental Ancestry Group; Female; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Insulin - blood; Insulin Resistance - physiology; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Middle Aged; Obesity; Puberal and climacteric disorders (male and female); Subcutaneous Tissue - anatomy & histology; Triglycerides - blood
• ISSN: 0026-0495; 1532-8600
• DOI: 10.1053/meta.2003.50024

Most studies examining racial disparities in abdominal fat distribution have focused on premenopausal women. The purpose of this report was to determine if racial differences exist in the abdominal fat distribution in postmenopausal white and black women. Fifty-four women (33 white and 21 black) were scanned by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine abdominal fat distribution, were measured by hydrostatic weighing for percent body fat, and had their fasting blood lipids, glucose, and insulin levels measured. These women were matched for age (mean age, 53.5 ± 0.9 years) and percent body fat (black: 39.6% ± 2.3%, white: 37.3% ± 1.2%). When adjusted for total body fat mass and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), total abdominal fat (white: 10,352.1 ± 535.2, black: 11,220.4 ± 670.1 cm3) was not statistically different between groups, but the visceral fat content was significantly higher in the white women (white: 2,943.5 ± 220.4, black: 2,332.6 ± 176.1 cm3). The percent visceral fat was also higher in these women (white: 30.5% ± 1.3%, black: 22.1% ± 1.6%, P