Race Adiposity Interactions Regulate Mechanisms Determining Insulin Sensitivity

This research study will examine how ethnic/racial background, body composition (%body fat), and the location of body fat affect the ability of the hormone insulin to promote uptake of blood sugar in persons who are 19 to 45 years of age. When insulin is ineffective in promoting blood sugar uptake, this condition is termed "insulin resistance." Insulin resistance plays a major role in the development of chronic metabolic diseases (such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer), many of which differ with race. Previous studies suggest that insulin resistance is higher in African-Americans (AA) vs. European-Americans (EA). However, results from these studies remain unclear due to different testing measures used for insulin resistance as well as differences in body fat between individuals. Results from this research study may help explain why insulin resistance differs with genetic background and may guide development of personalized treatment strategies with implications for several chronic metabolic diseases (e.g., type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer).