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Obesity and Metabolic Syndromes
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A report by the National Center for Health Statistics found that among the top five leading causes of death, diabetes ranked fifth for both African Americans and Latinos and fourth for Native Americans, but did not rank among the top five for whites.15 Indeed, diabetes affects Mexican American and African Americans at a rate nearly twice that in the white population, and the rates are even higher for Native Americans.16 The 2000 death rate from diabetes was 47.8 for black males per 100,000 and 50.4 for black females, a rate over 50 percent higher than the respective 25.8 and 20.6 death rate for their white counterparts.9
Introduction
Obesity, or "severe overweight," is particularly prevalent in minorities. Nearly 72 percent of Mexican American women are considered overweight,18 followed by 66 percent of African American females, 56.6 percent of Hispanic females, and 45.5 percent of white women.9'19 Males have worse trends with Mexican Americans leading at 74.7 percent, followed by 66.2 percent of Hispanic males,20 59.6 percent of white males, and more than 57 percent of African Americans.9'21 Children follow similar trends; racial differences in obesity and blood pressure already are present in nine- to 11-year-olds.22
Sources: Wilson PW, Kannel WB, Silbershatz H, et al.: Clustering of metabolic factors and coronary heart disease. Arch Intern Med 159:1104-1109, 1999.
Lillie-Blanton M, Rushing OE, Ruiz S: Key Facts: Race, Ethnicity & Medical Care. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation: June 2003.
Harris Ml, Flegal KM, Cowie CC, et al.: Prevalence of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, and impaired glucose tolerance in U.S. adults. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994. Diabetes Care 21(4):518-524, 1998.
Figueroa-Colon R, Franklin FA, Lee JY, et al.: Prevalence of obesity with increased blood pressure in elementary school-aged children. South Med J90 (8):806-813, 1997.
Objectives
To Promote intellectual exchange, generate innovative inter - and multi-disciplinary research
To Facilitate the movement of scientific advances across the translational research spectrum
To Develop in collaboration with the DTCC additional multi-site research projects across disciplines that will capitalize on emerging technologic advances and unique resources
Scientific Leadership
Dr. Jose Torres-Ruiz - Ponce
Dr. Julio Benabe - UPR
Dr. Homero del Pino - CDU
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