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Perceived discrimination and markers of cardiovascular risk among low‐income A frican A merican youth
Author(s) -
Goosby Bridget J.,
Malone Sarah,
Richardson Elizabeth A.,
Cheadle Jacob E.,
Williams Deadric T.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
american journal of human biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.559
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1520-6300
pISSN - 1042-0533
DOI - 10.1002/ajhb.22683
Subject(s) - blood pressure , waist , medicine , stressor , hum , diastole , inflammation , c reactive protein , gerontology , demography , obesity , clinical psychology , art , sociology , performance art , art history
Objectives Our study examines the relationship between perceived discrimination and levels of C‐reactive protein and blood pressure in low‐income youth ages 10−15 years old. Methods Data were collected from 10 to 15 year old focal children and their mothers. Face‐to‐face interviews were implemented to collect data on stressors including experiences of everyday discrimination from youth. High sensitivity CRP in dried blood spot samples and diastolic and systolic blood pressure were also collected at the time of the interview. Results Perceived discrimination among youth was significantly associated with higher levels of CRP, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure. CRP, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure remained significant after controlling for age‐adjusted BMI, waist circumference, and other factors. Conclusions Discrimination is a salient risk factor for inflammation and cardiovascular health. Early life course inflammation and cardiovascular reactivity are important candidate pathways through which the repeated exposure to discrimination for minority group members contributes to racial and economic health inequities in adulthood. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:546–552, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.