Leptin Levels May Explain Why Many African-American Girls Are Taller and Heavier

African-American teenage girls are often taller and heavier and also mature earlier than girls in other ethnic groups. Higher blood levels of leptin may be the cause (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 83:3574, 1998).

Leptin, a hormone manufactured in fat tissue, gives biochemical cues for curbing appetite and burning calories. Leptin, along with another hormone, neuropeptide-Y, which triggers hunger, control the cycle of hunger and satiety.

Research has suggested that higher leptin levels may accelerate sexual maturity and enable the body to conserve energy better. Higher energy efficiency could help explain why African-American girls grow faster than their peers from other ethnic groups do. This study included 136 healthy girls, including 79 white and 57 African-American girls 8 to 17 years of age.