Trunk Versus Extremity Adiposity and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in White and African American Adults

OBJECTIVE To determine contributions of trunk and extremity adiposity to cardiometabolic risk factors (blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides) among white and African American adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The sample consisted of 1,129 white women, 779 African American women, 1,012 white men, and 300 African American men. RESULTS Higher trunk adiposity was significantly associated with an increased risk of having two or more cardiometabolic risk factors among African American and white men and women. After adjustment for trunk and arm adiposity, higher leg adiposity was significantly associated with a decreased risk of having two or more cardiometabolic risk factors among white men and women and African American women. CONCLUSIONS In contrast with adverse risk with high trunk adiposity, high leg adiposity is associated with a decreased risk of having two or more cardiometabolic risk factors in both African American and white adults.