V.4. Ethnic variations

It has been reported that South Asians have higher TG and insulin levels than Europeans.  Insulin resistance is more typical in South Asians. By contrast, Africans are characterized by a dyslipidemic profile (high blood lipid levels). The abdominal fat accumulation is greater (visceral adipose tissue: VAT). Lower LDL and cholesterol levels have been found in a migrant Chinese population, but the BP was higher. Significantly more South Asians and West Africans than Europeans die because of the CVD caused by the MetS.

The reasons for the ethnic differences are wide-ranging: there are differences in genetic factors, the social background, habits (e.g. alcohol consumption and smoking), diet and the level of physical inactivity. The level of vitamin D is significantly lower in these populations, and hypovitaminosis D is therefore an independent risk factor for a high blood Glu level and insulin resistance. It is currently unclear whether the vitamin D status is causal or acts as a marker. Most of the investigations on migrants were performed in America and Europe, and stress factors should therefore be taken into account. Moreover, it is a limitation of these studies that migrants are less resistant to local infections, and these effects seriously affect the results of the investigations.