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Cited by 274Body Composition Measurement TechniquesBone health and osteoporosis researchDiabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins

Density of lean body mass is greater in blacks than in whites

Schutte, J. E., Townsend, E. J., Hugg, J., Shoup, R. F., Malina, R. M., Blomqvist, C. G.·1984·Journal of Applied Physiology
DOI 10.1152/jappl.1984.56.6.1647
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Abstract

Previous studies have reported that Blacks have 10–20% more bone mineral than Whites of the same height. Theoretically, this should mean that the lean body mass of Blacks is denser than that of Whites, such that formulas for calculating lean body mass from density in Whites will overestimate the lean body mass (and thus underestimate fatness) in Blacks. To determine if the lean body mass of Blacks is indeed denser than that of Whites, we measured density, total body water, and anthropometric dimensions in 19 white and 15 black male college students. The black and white cohorts were nearly identical in height, weight, and total body water. Among the Whites there was no significant difference between the observed density and that predicted from anthropometry, nor were there any significant differences between the dimensions of body composition calculated from total body water and from observed density. Among the Blacks, however, the observed density was significantly greater than that predicted from anthropometry, and the lean body mass calculated from observed density was significantly greater than that calculated from total body water. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the lean body mass of the Blacks is denser than that of the Whites. Separate formulas should therefore be used for converting density to body composition. Based on our data, the correct formula for Blacks is: %fat = 100 X [(4.374/density) - 3.928]. This formula indicates a lean body density of 1.113 g/cm3 in Blacks compared with 1.100 in Whites.

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  • Body composition differences exist between ethnic groups and could affect BIA accuracy.

    “Studies have shown that body composition differ-ences exist between ethnic groups (5) that could affect the accuracy of BIA measurement.”

    From Comparison of Body Composition Methods in Obese African‐American Women (2006) · cites this paper as [5]

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Authors
Schutte, J. E., Townsend, E. J., Hugg, J., Shoup, R. F., Malina, R. M., & Blomqvist, C. G.
ORCID
Malina, R. M.
Venue
Journal of Applied Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Published
1984-06-01
Volume
56
Issue
6
Pages
1647-1649
ISSN
  • 0161-7567 (ISSN-L)
  • 8750-7587
  • 1522-1601
DOI
10.1152/jappl.1984.56.6.1647
OpenAlex
W2179880609
Cited by
274
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 8
FWCI
1.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Applied Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Bone health and osteoporosis research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
Keywords
racial differences, body composition, total body water, anthropometry, body fat percentage
MeSH terms
Adipose Tissue, Adolescent, Adult, Body Composition, Body Water, Densitometry, Humans, Male, Black People, White People

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