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Pediatric Obesity pp 75–89Cite as

Racial Differences in Childhood Obesity: Pathogenesis and Complications

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Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Abstract

Race and ethnicity are terms used to categorize populations on the basis of shared characteristics. Race is traditionally used to categorize populations on the basis of shared biological characteristics such as skin color, other observable features, and the genetic determinants of such differences (1). Ethnicity is used to categorize individuals on the basis of cultural characteristics such as shared language, ancestry, religious traditions, dietary preferences, and history. Although ethnic groups can share a range of phenotypic characteristics due to shared ancestry, the term is typically used to highlight cultural and social characteristics instead of biological ones (1). Both race and ethnicity are frequently used interchangeably and are constantly evolving concepts, especially in the United States, making the task of comparing groups or following the same group over time quite challenging.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the United States Public Health Service grant RO1 HD27503 (SA), K24 HD01357 (SA), MO1 RR00084 (GCRC) and UL1 RR024153 (CTSA), T32 DK063686 (CD), and T32 DK007729 (JH).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Mellitus, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA

    Jaime Haidet & Silva A. Arslanian

  2. Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Mellitus, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15201, USA

    Cem Demirci

  3. Division of Weight Management and Wellness, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Silva A. Arslanian

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  1. Jaime Haidet
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  3. Silva A. Arslanian
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, and Diabetes, Duke University, DUMC 3080, Durham, 27710, North Carolina, USA

    Michael Freemark

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Haidet, J., Demirci, C., Arslanian, S.A. (2010). Racial Differences in Childhood Obesity: Pathogenesis and Complications. In: Freemark, M. (eds) Pediatric Obesity. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-874-4_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-874-4_6

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