Body Fat Distribution in Hispanic Americans

Obesity and complications of obesity are more prevalent among Hispanic Americans than Caucasian Americans. There is evidence to suggest that there is ethnic-race variation in the distribution and patterning of body fat. Hispanic Americans have a larger percentage [Page 89]of total body fat that is more centrally or viscerally distributed than their Caucasian counterparts at similar body mass indices (BMIs). Central adiposity has been associated with adverse health outcomes.

Body fat distribution refers to a description of total adiposity as well as adipose tissue patterning. Body mass is partitioned into fat mass and fat-free mass. These vary with age, sex, and ethnicity. Fat or adipose tissue is located in the subcutaneous tissue (SAT) and in the visceral tissue (VAT). There is no consensus as to the best methods for assessing adipose tissue distribution, which may account for some of the variability seen in the different studies of body fat distribution. It has been suggested that VAT versus SAT distribution is associated with more adverse metabolic risks, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Studies have shown that Hispanic-American women have higher total adiposity and greater levels of centralized obesity measures (higher subscapular to triceps skinfold ratios and waist-to-hip circumferences) than their age-matched Caucasian counterparts. From childhood to adulthood, Hispanic-American women have consistently higher truncal-to-extremity skinfold thickness ratios compared to Caucasian women. Additionally, Hispanic-American women have higher VAT than African-American women of similar BMI.

Some studies have shown that Hispanic-American men have slightly higher total body fat and greater truncal to peripheral adiposity compared to Caucasians, whereas other studies have shown no significant differences in total body fat estimates or fat distribution among men in the different race-ethnic groups.

In children 4–19 years old, Hispanic-American men and women have been shown to have higher body fat than their Caucasian counterparts. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was slightly higher in Hispanic-American boys than Caucasians and much higher than African-American boys. Among girls, Hispanic Americans had slightly higher WHR than Caucasian or African-American girls.

The higher prevalence of T2DM and CVD risk profile seen in Hispanic Americans could be a reflection of the higher VAT depot. The exact mechanism for preferential visceral adiposity is not known. Possible factors for differential body fat distribution include genetics, hormones, lifestyle or behavioral factors (smoking, drinking, physical activity) and dietary factors, and socioeconomic factors.

Comparison body composition studies between Hispanic Americans and other race-ethnic groups are limited. The majority of studies that included Hispanic-American samples invariably surveyed only Mexican Americans. As Hispanic Americans is not a homogenous group, caution needs to be applied when using the term Hispanic American or generalizing the study findings. The Hispanic-American ethnic group comprises members with various admixtures of genetic and cultural background with combinations of Amerindian, European, and African ancestry.