Observational studies have indicated that African Americans have lower levels of adiponectin, lower socioeconomic status, higher levels of type 2 diabetes and poorer lifestyle profiles compared to other racial groups in the U.S. A study conducted in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort found African Americans had 22% lower mean values for adiponectin when compared to whites [32]. This evidence concerns the gene ADIPOQ and type 2 diabetes mellitus.