Energy balance

After adjusting for fat-free mass, fat mass, visceral fat, age, and physical activity, African-American young adults have a significantly lower resting metabolic rate (RMR) than white young adults, with a mean difference of approximately 80 kcal/day.

This research indicates that African-American individuals may have a slightly lower resting metabolic rate than their White counterparts, even when accounting for body size and composition. However, this difference (approx. 80 kcal/day) is small and does not appear to be the main driver of obesity disparities, especially since African-American men in the study did not have higher obesity rates despite having lower RMR. Focus on consistent physical activity and balanced nutrition rather than assuming metabolic inevitability.