TABLE 1.
Components of ethnicity relevant to variability in cardiometabolic risk, with examples
| Biological component | Example |
|---|---|
| DNA content | Frequency of ApoE polymorphism (47) |
| Gene effect | Physiological effect of FTO gene (48) |
| DNA expression | Global DNA methylation (49) |
| Life history | Growth and maturation patterns (50) |
| Biological ageing | Telomere attrition (51) |
| Morphology | Body composition (52) |
| Proteomics | Protein markers of cardiovascular disease (53) |
| Microbiome | Genetic variability of the biota (54) |
| Biochemistry | Inflammatory response (55) |
| Physiology | Blood pressure (56) |
| Behavior | Physical exercise (57) |
| Physical environment | Quality of urban environment (58) |
| Social environment | Social support networks (59) |
| Education | Educational opportunities and attainment (60) |
| Access to health care | Bureaucratic procedures (61) |
| Health care | Clinical management (62) |
| Commercial pressures | Targeting by commercial companies (38) |
| Exposure to discrimination | Negative targeting of identity (63) |
| Values and beliefs | Values and beliefs relating to foods (64) |
ApoE, apolipoprotein E; FTO, fat mass and obesity-associated protein.