Study: Black Women Lose Less Weight Than White Women on Same Diet

Black women will lose less weight than white women even if they follow the exact same exercise and diet regimen, researchers report.

The reason behind this finding is that black women's metabolisms run more slowly, which decreases their daily energy burn, said study author James DeLany, an associate professor in the division of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

"African-American women have a lower energy expenditure. They're going to have to eat fewer calories than they would if they were Caucasian, and/or increase their physical activity more," said DeLany. His report is published in the Dec. 20 issue of the International Journal of Obesity.  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_143598.html