Worse cardiometabolic health in African immigrant men than African American men: reconsideration of the healthy immigrant effect.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The healthy immigrant effect is a phrase that has been used for decades to describe better cardiometabolic health in African immigrants than African Americans. The recent global increase in cardiometabolic diseases raises the possibility that immigrant health may be changing. Therefore, a new assessment of cardiometabolic health in African immigrants is warranted.

Methods

Glucose tolerance status, blood pressure, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume were compared in 214 self-identified healthy men comprised of 138 African immigrants, 76 African Americans, mean age 36±9 years [mean±standard deviation (SD); range 20-64 years]. Insulin resistance was defined by the lowest quartile of the insulin sensitivity index (SI≤2.28 mU/L(-1)·min(-1)). The waist circumferenc

SUBMITTER: O'Connor MY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4117257 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature