Obesity, Nutrition, and Physical Activity in Blacks and Whites: Implications for Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity, and obesity-related CVD risk factors such as hypertension are higher in blacks than whites in the United States. Obesity, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity as well as psychosocial and environmental factors may contribute to ethnic differences in CVD. Survey data from the United States show that black populations consume fewer vegetables and CVD-protective micronutrients such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium than whites. Black populations are also less physically active. Physiologic factors may also contribute to ethnic differences in CVD. Blacks are more insulin resistant than whites, predisposing them to type 2 diabetes and CVD, and healthy black adults have higher levels of inflammatory markers, potentially increasing their risk for CVD. Although obesity does not appear to have a differential impact on CVD risk factors by race, the higher obesity prevalence of blacks combined with their higher-risk diet, lack of exercise, and psychosocial stress places this population at significant excess risk for CVD.