Physical activity predicts adiposity in nigerians but not US blacks

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-1997

Abstract

Obesity is very prevalent among African Americans, yet relatively rare among populations of similar genetic heritage but differing environments, eg, West Africans. We investigated the relationship between physical activity and adiposity by measuring total expenditure (TEE) with doubly labeled water in 11 healthy adults in rural Nigeria (6 women 5 men) and 28 US blacks aged 16 to 53 (20 women, 8 men). Resting expenditure (REE) was measured by indirect calorimetry in US blacks and estimated from fat-free mass using Cunningham's equation in Nigerians; physical activity (PAEE) was calculated as TEE-REE and physical activity level (PAL) as TEE/REE. Body composition was determined from total body water by isotope dilution. Nigerians weighed less than US blacks, 52.5 vs 85.1 kg (women), 51.4 vs 89.8 kg (men) and had less body fat, 22.0 vs 37.7% (women) and 8.1 vs 22.8% (men) (all p<0.001). TEE was greater for US blacks (mean± sd): 9.2±1.3 vs 11.5±2.7 MJ/d (women, p<0.01) and 11.3±1.6 vs 14.1±2.8 MJ/d (men, p<0.05), as was absolute REE (p<0.05). PAEE, however, was greater among Nigerian than US men, 108±33 vs 69±18 kJ/kg/d (p<0.05). and no different among women (p>0.50). Similarly, PAL's were comparable between all groups, 1.78 vs 1.91 (women) and 1.95 vs 1.76 (men), Nigerian and US, respectively (p>0.20). There was a significant negative correlation between % fat and PAEE (kJ/kg/d) among Nigerians (r=-0.70). In contrast, it was non-significant among US blacks (r=-0.19). The same was true for % fat regressed on PAL, r=-0.57 (Nigerian), r=0.14 (US). This cross-sectional study suggests that in an environment where energy is sufficient but not excessive, PAEE and PAL are important predictors of adiposity in blacks. This relationship was not observed in the US where energy supplies are abundant.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

FASEB Journal

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