Ethnic differences in serum lipoproteins and their determinants in South African women.

The objective of the study was to characterize ethnic differences in lipid levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and subclasses in black and white South African women and to explore the associations with insulin sensitivity (S(I)), body composition, and lifestyle factors. Fasting serum lipids and LDL size and subclasses, body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), and S(I) (frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test) were measured in normal-weight (body mass index25 kg/m(2)) black (n = 15) and white (n = 15), and obese (body mass index30 kg/m(2)) black (n = 13) and white (n = 13) women. Normal-weight and obese black women had lower triglycerides (0.59 +/…