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Asian Adolescents with Excess Weight are at Higher Risk for Insulin Resistance than Non‐Asian Peers
Author(s) -
Elsamadony Ahmed,
Yates Kathy F.,
Sweat Victoria,
Yau Po Lai,
Mangone Alex,
Joseph Adriana,
Fierman Arthur,
Convit Antonio
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.22003
Subject(s) - waist , insulin resistance , overweight , medicine , triglyceride , metabolic syndrome , obesity , excess weight , demography , endocrinology , cholesterol , sociology
Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether Asian American adolescents have higher metabolic risk from excess weight than non‐Asians. Methods Seven hundred thirty‐three students, aged 14 to 19 years old, completed a school‐based health screening. The 427 Asian and 306 non‐Asian students were overall equivalent on age, sex, and family income. Height, weight, waist circumference, percent body fat, and blood pressure were measured. Fasting triglycerides, high‐ and low‐density lipoproteins, glucose, and insulin levels were measured. Asian and non‐Asians in lean or overweight/obesity groups were contrasted on the five factors that make up the metabolic syndrome. Results Asian adolescents carrying excess weight had significantly higher insulin resistance (IR), triglyceride levels, and waist‐height ratios (W/H), despite a significantly lower overall BMI than corresponding non‐Asians. Similarly, Asians had a stronger relationship between W/H and the degree of IR than non‐Asian counterparts; 35% and 18% of the variances were explained (R 2 = 0.35, R 2 = 0.18) respectively, resulting in a significant W/H by racial group interaction (F change [1,236] = 11.56, P < 0.01). Conclusions Despite lower overall BMI, Asians have higher IR and triglyceride levels from excess weight than their non‐Asian counterparts. One‐size‐fits‐all public health policies targeting youth should be reconsidered and attention paid to Asian adolescents, including those with mild degrees of excess weight.