Scientific studies have shown that obesity and increased levels of fat content in the blood are important risk factors for heart disease in Caucasian women. However, similar studies in African American women have failed to show the same correlation. In fact, it appears that African American women in all three body weight groupings, nonobese, overweight, and obese experience high death rates due to heart disease. In addition, prior research has shown that obese African American men tend to have elevated levels of fat in the blood while African American women have normal blood fat levels. This suggests that studies conducted on Caucasian women may not provide insight into heart disease risk factors in African American women.
Diabetes undeniably increases the risk of heart disease.
Therefore patients suffering from diabetes will not be included in the study. Candidates for the study will undergo a series of tests and examinations over 5 outpatient visits. Researchers believe this study will provide significant insight into the causes of obesity and heart disease in African Americans. Subjects will be allowed to participate if they self-identify as African Americans. The age range of the participants will be between 18 and 50 years.