Effects of sex and ethnicity on responses to a low-fat diet: a study of African Americans and whites.

The effects of sex and ethnicity on plasma lipoprotein changes that occur with low-fat diets were studied in 34 African American subjects (20 women, 14 men) and 29 white subjects (13 women, 16 men) aged 25-62 y with moderate hypercholesterolemia. A baseline diet containing 37% fat (15% saturated) was compared with four experimental diets containing 30% fat (10% saturated) with reciprocally varying contents of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Diets were fed for 6 wk each, and all food and beverages provided and compliance were intensively monitored. Body weight and physical activity were held constant. Lowering of total and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol were similar between women and men and between African Americans and whites. Small differences were observed between women and men in the extent of high-density lipoprotein lowering and triacylglycerol elevations. Additionally, African American subjects had slightly higher triacylglycerol elevations than did white subjects. Results suggest that men and women of varied ethnic backgrounds should respond similarly to cholesterol-lowering diets. Studies are required to develop strategies for achieving dietary changes that consider diverse eating patterns and cultural barriers to dietary adherence.