Age-related changes in musculoskeletal mass between black and white women

Earlier studies from our laboratory indicated that matched black and white women differ significantly in total body potassium (TBK), total body bone density (TBD), and total body bone mineral (TBBM). The aim of this investigation was to examine absolute levels and the kinetics of age-related changes in TBK, TBD, TBBM, and percent body fat in a cross-sectional cohort of 34 matched pairs (age +/- 4 years, weight +/- 2 kg, and height +/- 4 cm) of black and white healthy non-obese women. Black and white women had a similar percentage of body weight as fat, although adipose tissue distribution (ie, waist to hip circumference ratio [WHR]) differed significantly (P < .0007) between the two groups (WHR, mean +/- SD: black, 0.837 +/- 0.062; white, 0.788 +/- 0.043). TBBM and TBD were significantly (P < .0001) higher in young black women, and ethnic differences in total bone mineral mass persisted at all ages. TBK (P = 0.0482) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (P < .0001) were higher in young black women; however, by ages 60 to 70 years, the two groups had similar TBK. Both groups of women lost musculoskeletal mass (ie, TBK and TBBM) and gained fat mass at similar rates. The results of this study suggest that black women have a greater appendicular muscle and skeletal mass, as well as upper-body fat distribution, than white women. These differences are independent of body weight, height, or percent fat, and the ethnic skeletal differences persist throughout the adult life span. The higher appendicular muscle mass, skeletal mass, and upper-body fat distribution suggest that black women may have greater androgenic activity than white women.