Race ranks higher than pounds in diabetes, heart-health risks

In this study it was found that a persons race negatively affected their health status in regards to blood pressure, glucose levels, levels of high density lipoproteins (HDLs which are considered good cholesterol as opposed to LDLs), and levels of triglycerides in the blood. Things to consider in this case are hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Even with weight in normal range, some races were at a higher risk for these diseases which could be correlated with their genotype. Here, normal weight means having a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2 for whites, African-Americans and Hispanics and between 18.5 and 22.9 kg/m2 for Chinese and South Asians. For example, American Hispanics were 80 percent more likely than whites to face "cardio-metabolic abnormalities that give rise to heart disease, stroke and diabetes." Less in comparison but still shocking, those of Chinese and African descent were 50 percent more likely to have such abnormalities compared to whites. The study simply shows that racial or ethnic minorities need to be aware of this medical difference to be cautious, since their race alone may be a risk factor for hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This is a case where body fat composition and other factors do not affect health, simply just race, and may be inferred, the genes of these groups. This makes me want to research more and find out why race and certain genes would cause higher chances of having this problems.