Ethnicity and race influence the folate status response to controlled folate intakes in young women

Population-based studies report differences in folate status indicators among Mexican American (MA), African American (AA) and Caucasian (CA) women. It is unclear, however, whether these differences are due to variations in dietary folate intake. The present study was designed to investigate the influence of ethnicity/race on folate status parameters in MA, AA, and CA women (18-45 y; n = 14 in each group) under conditions of strictly controlled folate intake. In addition, the adequacy of the 1998 folate U.S. recommended dietary allowance (RDA), 400 micro g/d as dietary folate equivalents (DFE), for non-Caucasian women was assessed. Subjects (n = 42) with the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677 CC genotype consumed a low-folate diet (135 micro g DFE/d) for 7 wk followed by repletion with 400 (7 MA, 7 AA, 7 CA) or 800 micro g DFE/d (7 MA, 7 AA, 7 CA) for 7 wk. AA women had lower (P 相似文献   

Socioeconomic Characteristics,Dietary and Lifestyle Patterns,and Health and Weight Status of Older Adults in NHANES, 1999–2002: A Comparison of Caucasians and African Americans

There are disparities among older Caucasian and African American adults in many areas. The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 1999 to 2002 and compared the self-reported dietary intakes, physical activity, and economic and health status of Caucasian (N = 1,398) and African American (N = 354) adults aged 65 years and older. Regression models and t-tests (α = 0.05) were used for comparisons. More African Americans than Caucasians lived in low-income households (40.4% vs. 21.3%), lived in households that were not fully food-secure (15.6% vs. 4.9%), watched five or more hours of television (34% vs. 20%), and were told that they had diabetes (10% vs. 4%) or high blood pressure (67 % vs. 52 %). They consumed 253 fewer calories than Caucasians. About 75 % of African American women were overweight. Our findings indicate that for those greater than 65 years of age, low-income African Americans are at a greater risk for poor nutrition and chronic health conditions than Caucasians.     

Binge eating and psychological distress in ethnically diverse undergraduate men and women

Binge eating symptomatology affects African Americans and Caucasians at similar rates. Moreover, compared to anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating and BED are more evenly distributed across genders. Undergraduates are likely to be affected by binge eating, yet, relatively few studies have investigated this behavior and its correlates in college samples. This study examined the influence of alexithymia, depression, and anxiety on binge eating among ethnically diverse undergraduates. Results indicated that these variables significantly predicted eating symptomatology among Caucasian and African American women but not among Caucasian men. Further, among Caucasian women, depression was the only unique predictor of eating pathology. In contrast, anxiety was the only unique predictor of disordered eating in African American women. There were no differences between Caucasians and African Americans in severity of disordered eating symptomatology; however, in both ethnic groups, women reported greater eating pathology than men. Eating disorders of all types may be more prevalent among African American undergraduates than previously thought. These results highlight the need to study binge eating and its correlates in this traditionally underserved group.     

Dietary Intake Mediates Ethnic Differences in Gut Microbial Composition

Background: The human gut microbiome (GM) has been observed to vary by race/ethnicity. Objective: Assess whether racial/ethnic GM variation is mediated by differences in diet. Design: Stool samples collected from 2013 to 2016 from 5267 healthy Multiethnic Cohort participants (age 59–98) were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to estimate the relative abundance of 152 bacterial genera. For 63 prevalent genera (>50% in each ethnic group), we analyzed the mediation of GM differences among African Americans, Japanese Americans, Latinos, Native Hawaiians, and Whites by overall diet quality (Healthy Eating Index score (HEI-2015)) and intake amounts of 14 component foods/nutrients assessed from 2003 to 2008. For each significant mediation (p < 1.3 × 10⁻⁵), we determined the percent of the total ethnicity effect on genus abundance mediated by the dietary factor. Results: Ethnic differences in the abundance of 12 genera were significantly mediated by one or more of eight dietary factors, most frequently by overall diet quality and intakes of vegetables and red meat. Lower vegetable intake mediated differences in Lachnospira (36% in African Americans, 39% in Latinos) and Ruminococcus-1 (−35% in African Americans, −43% in Latinos) compared to Native Hawaiians who consumed the highest amount. Higher red meat intake mediated differences in Lachnospira (−41%) and Ruminococcus-1 (36%) in Native Hawaiians over African Americans, who consumed the least. Dairy and alcohol intakes appeared to mediate and counterbalance the difference in Bifidobacterium between Whites and Japanese Americans. Conclusions: Overall diet quality and component food intakes may contribute to ethnic differences in GM composition and to GM-related racial/ethnic health disparities.     

Serum and red blood cell folate concentrations, race, and education: findings from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the relations between race or ethnicity, educational attainment, and serum and red blood cell folate concentrations. OBJECTIVE: We examined the relation between educational attainment and serum and red blood cell folate concentrations in 8457 white, African American, and Mexican American men and women aged > or = 17 y. DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional analysis using data from Phase 1 of the third National health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1991). RESULTS: White men had significantly higher adjusted serum and red blood cell folate concentrations (16.9 and 502.6 nmol/L, respectively) than did African American men (15.6 and 423.3 nmol/L, respectively) or Mexican American men (16.0 and 457.0 nmol/L, respectively); white women had significantly higher concentrations (18.4 and 515.9 nmol/L, respectively) than did African American women (16.3 and 415.4 nmol/L, respectively) or Mexican American women (15.9 and 455.7 nmol/L, respectively). For the entire sample, rank correlation coefficients between educational attainment and serum and red blood cell folate were 0.11 and 0.12, respectively, and were larger in white participants than in other participants. No significant linear trends between adjusted serum or red blood cell folate and educational attainment were found. Among participants with > 12 y of education, the mean adjusted concentrations of serum folate were 15% and 18% lower and those of red blood cell were 18% and 22% lower in African American men and women than in white men and women, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: African Americans and Mexican Americans could benefit most from public health programs to boost folate intakes by encouraging increased intake of folate-rich foods and vitamin supplements.     

Ethnic differences in dietary intakes, physical activity, and energy expenditure in middle-aged, premenopausal women: the Healthy Transitions Study.

BACKGROUND: Menopause is a time of increased risk of obesity in women. The effect of menopause in African American women, in whom obesity is already highly prevalent, is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We compared dietary intakes and energy expenditure (EE) between middle-aged, premenopausal African American and white women participating in a longitudinal study of the menopausal transition. DESIGN: Dietary intakes by food record, EE by triaxial accelerometer, physical activity by self-report, and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were compared in 97 white and 52 African American women. Twenty-four-hour and sleeping EE were measured by whole-room indirect calorimetry in 56 women. RESULTS: Sleeping EE (adjusted for lean and fat mass) was lower in African American than in white women (5749 +/- 155 compared with 6176 +/- 75 kJ/d; P = 0.02); however, there was no significant difference in 24-h EE between groups. Reported leisure activity over the course of a week was less in African American than in white women (556 +/- 155 compared with 1079 +/- 100 kJ/d; P = 0.02), as were the daily hours spent standing and climbing stairs. Dietary intakes of protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and several fatty acids were significantly less in African Americans, whereas there were no observed ethnic differences in intakes of fat or carbohydrate. Body fat within the whole group was positively correlated with total, saturated, and monounsaturated fat intakes and inversely associated with fiber and calcium intakes. Fiber was the strongest single predictor of fatness. CONCLUSION: Ethnic differences in EE and the intake of certain nutrients may influence the effect of menopausal transition on obesity in African American women.     

Dietary energy density is associated with overweight status among 5 ethnic groups in the multiethnic cohort study

Differences in BMI among ethnic groups may be partially explained by the consumption of energy-dense foods, which influences energy intake in controlled laboratory studies. However, the role of dietary energy density (ED, kJ/g) in free-living persons is less understood. Our objective was to determine whether ED is related to current BMI and the risk for overweight and obesity and whether these relations are consistent among ethnic groups. We calculated ED from responses to a quantitative food frequency questionnaire and validated the measures against multiple 24-h recalls. Subjects consisted of 191,023 participants in the Hawaii-Los Angeles Multiethnic Cohort who were African American, Native Hawaiian, Japanese American, Latino, or Caucasian. Mean ED varied from a low of 4.62 kJ/g in Japanese American men to a high of 5.08 kJ/g in African American men. Mean BMI was lowest in Japanese Americans of both sexes and highest in Native Hawaiian men and African American women. After adjusting for the amount of food consumed per day, age, current smoking status, physical activity, chronic disease, and education, a 1 kJ/g increase in ED was associated with an increase in BMI of approximately 1 kg/m2 in each ethnic sex group. This same increase in ED was associated with a significantly increased risk of being overweight in all ethnic sex groups, varying from 4% in African American men to 34% in Japanese American women. Our findings suggest that consumption of an energy dense diet is a risk factor for higher BMI in both men and women across ethnic groups.     

Socioeconomic and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Unintended Pregnancy Among Postpartum Women in California

Objective: We examined social disparities in unintended pregnancy among postpartum women to better understand 1) the role of socioeconomic factors in racial/ethnic disparities and 2) factors that might explain both socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in the risk for unintended pregnancy among women who give birth. Methods: We used 1999 and 2000 data from a statewide-representative mail and telephone survey of postpartum women in California (N = 7044). We examined associations between unintended pregnancy and race/ethnicity (African American, Asian or Pacific Islander, U.S.-born Latina, foreign-born Latina, European or Middle Eastern), three socioeconomic factors (poverty status, maternal education, paternal education), and several potential explanatory factors. Results: Overall, racial/ethnic disparities in unintended pregnancy were reduced by the three socioeconomic factors individually and collectively (e.g., reducing higher unadjusted odds for African Americans from 3.4 to 1.9); additional adjustment for marital status age, parity, insurance, language, abuse, sense of control, and interaction between marital status and race/ethnicity (each independently associated with unintended pregnancy) reduced the socioeconomic disparities (e.g., reducing odds for the poorest women from 4.1 to 2.3). Although reduced, significant racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities remained after adjustment, but generally only among married women. Results for Latinas appeared to vary by nativity, with foreign-born Latinas being at lower odds and U.S.-born Latinas being at higher odds of unintended pregnancy. Conclusions: Racial/ethnic disparities in unintended pregnancy are partly explained by the socioeconomic factors we measured. Several additional factors were identified that suggest possible directions for policies and programs to help reduce social disparities in unintended pregnancy among childbearing women.     

Dairy consumption and related nutrient intake in African-American adults and children in the United States: continuing survey of food intakes by individuals 1994-1996, 1998, and the National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000

OBJECTIVE: To establish the first baseline of dairy and related nutrient intake in African Americans, an at-risk population of public health concern in the United States. To document dairy consumption in African Americans by age and sex during 1994-1998 and 1999-2000 and compare it with concomitant dairy, calcium, and related nutrient intakes in non-African-American adults and children. DESIGN: Duplicate and single 24-hour recalls were analyzed to determine dietary intake during the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals 1994-1996, 1998 (CSFII), and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000 (NHANES), respectively. SUBJECTS: African Americans and non-African Americans of all ages who participated in CSFII 1994-1996, 1998, and in NHANES 1999-2000; both surveys are a stratified random sample of the total civilian, noninstitutionalized US population. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Dairy food and nutrient intake per day were quantified according to age, sex, and ethnicity/race from CSFII 1994-1996, 1998, and NHANES 1999-2000. For NHANES, mean intakes from 1-day food records were sample-weighted, and standard errors estimated by the Taylor linearization method of SUDAAN (version 9.0, 2004, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC). Usual daily intakes of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus were based on 2-day intake data from CSFII 1994-1996, 1998, and calculated using Software for Intake Distribution from Iowa State University. The percentage of individuals categorized as not meeting the Estimated Average Requirement for magnesium and phosphorus were calculated in the same way. RESULTS: CSFII 1994-1996, 1998, and NHANES 1999-2000 data both show that African Americans in all age groups consume fewer mean servings per day of total dairy, milk, cheese, and yogurt than non-African Americans, and have lower mean intakes of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Significant differences were seen for men and women. CONCLUSIONS: In this analysis, young African-American women did not meet Dietary Reference Intakes for phosphorus, and all African Americans did not meet Dietary Reference Intakes for calcium and magnesium. African Americans in all age groups did not meet dairy recommendations from the 2005 US Dietary Guidelines and the 2004 National Medical Association Consensus Report on the role of dairy and dairy nutrients in the diet of African Americans.     

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Use of Mental Health Services

The authors used data from the 1998-1999 Community Tracking Study (CTS) household survey to examine variations in predictors of use of mental health services among different racial and ethnic groups (white, African American, Hispanic, and other). African Americans and Hispanics were less likely to have visited a mental health professional (MHP) in the prior year than were whites. Independent of health insurance and health status, low- to middle-income African Americans may be at particular risk for inadequate use of an MHP compared to higher-income African Americans. Similarly, upper-income Hispanics were more likely to have visited an MHP than Hispanics in the lowest income range. Adults aged 50 and older were less likely to visit an MHP than individuals aged 18-49. Depressed men were more likely to visit an MHP than depressed women. Efforts to reduce disparities should focus on lower-income racial and ethnic minorities.     

Racial/ethnic differences in body image and eating behaviors

There is a growing literature on the relationship between race/ethnicity and body image and eating disorders, but the conclusions are still unclear. We therefore examined racial/ethnic influences on body image and eating behaviors in 108 Caucasian, 46 African American, and 40 Asian female undergraduates. Participants completed the Figure Rating Scale (FRS) and the Eating Habits Questionnaire (EHQ) to assess body image and eating pathology. Caucasians had greater body discrepancy (difference between current and ideal) than Asians (P=.05) and higher EHQ scores (P<.0001) than both Asians and African Americans. African Americans chose a larger ideal body size than the other groups (P=.005). However, Asian women had a significantly lower body mass index (BMI) than both groups (P<.0001). After controlling for BMI, ideal body size differences were minimized (P=.08). Also, now, both Caucasians and Asians had greater body discrepancy (P<.0001) and EHQ scores (P<.0001) than African Americans. Our findings help reconcile inconsistencies in the literature by demonstrating the impact of controlling for BMI when comparing body image and eating behaviors in individuals from different racial/ethnic backgrounds.     

Macronutrient intakes among adult Hispanics: a comparison of Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, and mainland Puerto Ricans.

OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this study was to compare energy and macronutrient intakes between adult Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, mainland Puerto Ricans, and non-Hispanics. METHODS. Age-specific mean intakes were estimated based on 24-hour recalls from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES) (1982 to 1984) and the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II) (1976 to 1980) and were compared with the use of t tests. RESULTS. Mexican Americans had higher total fat, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat intakes than did Puerto Ricans and older Cuban Americans. Cuban Americans and Puerto Ricans had similar intakes, except for younger Cuban Americans, who had higher total and saturated fat and lower carbohydrate intakes. Cholesterol intakes among Mexican American men and 60- to 74-year-old women were higher than those among other Hispanic groups. Carbohydrate and protein intakes were higher among Hispanic groups compared with those among non-Hispanics while total fat intakes were generally lower. CONCLUSIONS. Since macronutrient intakes differ between Hispanic groups, dietary research, recommendations, and interventions should be targeted to each group individually. Older Puerto Rican and Cuban American adults met population guidelines for reducing chronic disease risk for more macronutrients than any other group.     

Awareness of racial and ethnic health disparities has improved only modestly over a decade

Documented disparities exist in the United States between the majority white population and various racial and ethnic minority populations on several health and health care indicators, including access to and quality of care, disease prevalence, infant mortality, and life expectancy. However, awareness of these disparities-a necessary first step toward changing behavior and compelling action-remains limited. Our survey of 3,159 adults age eighteen or older found that 59 percent of Americans in 2010 were aware of racial and ethnic disparities that disproportionately affect African Americans and Hispanics or Latinos. That number represents a modest increase over the 55 percent recorded in a 1999 survey. Meanwhile, in our survey, 89 percent of African American respondents were aware of African American and white disparities, versus 55 percent of whites. Yet the survey also revealed low levels of awareness among racial and ethnic minority groups about disparities that disproportionately affect their own communities. For example, only 54 percent of African Americans were aware of disparities in the rate of HIV/AIDS between African Americans and whites, and only 21 percent of Hispanics or Latinos were aware of those disparities between their group and whites. Policy makers must increase the availability and quality of data on racial and ethnic health disparities and create multisectoral partnerships to develop targeted educational campaigns to increase awareness of health disparities.     

The Cardiovascular Health of Urban African Americans: Diet-Related Results from the Genes,Nutrition, Exercise,Wellness, and Spiritual Growth (GoodNEWS) Trial

African Americans have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than Americans in general and are thus prime targets for efforts to reduce CVD risk. Dietary intake data were obtained from African Americans participating in the Genes, Nutrition, Exercise, Wellness, and Spiritual Growth (GoodNEWS) Trial. The 286 women and 75 men who participated had a mean age of 49 years; 53% had hypertension, 65% had dyslipidemia, and 51% met criteria for metabolic syndrome. Their dietary intakes were compared with American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute nutrition parameters to identify areas for improvement to reduce CVD risk in this group of urban church members in Dallas, TX. Results from administration of the Dietary History Questionnaire indicated median daily intakes of 33.6% of energy from total fat, 10.3% of energy from saturated fat, 171 mg cholesterol, 16.3 g dietary fiber, and 2,453 mg sodium. A beneficial median intake of 2.9 cups fruits and vegetables per day was coupled with only 2.7 oz fish/week and an excessive intake of 13 tsp added sugar/day. These data indicate several changes needed to bring the diets of these individuals—and likely many other urban African Americans—in line with national recommendations, including reduction of saturated fat, sodium, and sugar intake, in addition to increased intake of fatty fish and whole grains. The frequent inclusion of vegetables should be encouraged in ways that promote achievement of recommended intakes of energy, fat, fiber, and sodium.     

Nutrient intakes of whites, blacks, and Mexican Americans in southeast Texas

Ethnic groups in the United States exhibit different patterns of cardiovascular disease and cancer morbidity and mortality. This has, in part, been attributed to differences in dietary intake. However, there is limited comparative information available regarding the dietary patterns of whites, blacks, and Hispanics residing in the same geographic area. Selected nutrient intakes were obtained by an interviewer-administered 24-hr dietary recall from 231 white, 102 black, and 98 Mexican-American persons residing in the same communities in Southeast Texas. Mean caloric intakes were highest for whites, followed by Mexican Americans and blacks. Mexican Americans had carbohydrate intakes that were significantly higher, but total fat intakes that were significantly lower, than those of whites. Blacks of both sexes had the highest cholesterol intakes and black males had the highest saturated fat intakes. Neither was significantly higher than that of whites or Mexican Americans. Overall, the mean vitamin A and C values were highest for blacks and lowest for whites, although the differences were not statistically significant. Mean calcium and phosphorus intakes were significantly higher for whites compared with those for blacks and Mexican Americans. Blacks had significantly lower mean fiber values than whites or Mexican Americans. International ethnic differences in disease distribution have long been used to provide clues to etiologic factors. National ethnic differences in disease distribution related to dietary intake can further elucidate these causative and/or preventive factors. However, to do so will require additional attention to dietary methodology of the type presented here.     

Smoking prevalence and correlates among Chinese- and Filipino-American adults: findings from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey

OBJECTIVES: We report prevalence rates and correlates of cigarette smoking among a population-based sample of Chinese- and Filipino-American adults together with rates found in other racial/ethnic groups in California. METHODS: All analyses are based on the 2001 California Health Interview Survey. RESULTS: The proportion of current smokers among males was lowest among Chinese Americans (14%), followed by Non-Hispanic Whites (19%), Hispanics (20%), African Americans (22%), Filipino Americans (24%), American Indians/Alaska Natives (29%), and Pacific Islanders (32%). The proportion of current smokers among females was lowest among Chinese Americans (6%), followed by Hispanics (8%), Filipino Americans (11%), Non-Hispanic Whites (17%), African Americans (20%), Pacific Islander (21%), and American Indians/Alaska Natives (32%). Smoking rates were higher among foreign-born versus U.S.-born Asian males. CHIS data show an opposite effect among Asian women: acculturation to the U.S. is associated with increased smoking prevalence rates. Multivariate analyses with Chinese and Filipino respondents showed that the likelihood of smoking varied among foreign-born versus U.S.-born men (OR 2.59 for Chinese, 1.42 for Filipino, 2.01 for all Asian men combined) and for foreign-born versus U.S.-born women (OR 0.41 for Chinese, 0.38 for Filipino, and 0.59 for all Asian women combined). CONCLUSION: Public health intervention efforts should take into account Asian ethnic subgroup, gender, and acculturation status in targeting high-risk smoking groups.     

Gender and racial disparities in the management of diabetes mellitus among Medicare patients.

BACKGROUND: Racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes care have been demonstrated in several settings, but few studies have evaluated whether racial/ethnic differences vary by gender. The objective of this study is to understand gender and racial effects on diabetes care for Medicare managed care beneficiaries. METHODS: Using data from: (1) Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS); (2) Medicare Enrollment Files; and (3) U.S. Census, hierarchical generalized linear analyses were conducted to model the six HEDIS comprehensive diabetes care quality indicators, including processes of care and intermediate outcome measures, as a function of gender and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Women were more likely to have received HbA(1c) screening or eye examination, but less likely to have LDL control at <100 mg/dL, compared to men. Racial disparities favored whites in five measures, where African Americans were less likely to have received HbA(1c) screening, eye examination, cholesterol screening, or achieve adequate HbA(1c) control or LDL control at <100 mg/dL. Enrollees in managed care plans where African Americans constituted more than 20% of their insured population tended to have lower likelihood of meeting the HbA(1c) screening, HbA(1c) control, and eye examination measures. CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION: Gender and racial disparities in performance indicators were present among persons enrolled in Medicare managed care. White women were more likely to have met the performance measures related to process of care, but African Americans fared worse in both process of care and intermediate health outcome measures, compared to their white counterparts. Poor performance in cholesterol control observed in women of both races suggests the possibility of less intensive cholesterol treatment in women. The differences in the pattern of care demonstrate the need for interventions tailored to address gender and race/ethnicity.     

Serum alpha-tocopherol status in the United States population: findings from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Despite the role vitamin E may have in protecting against various chronic conditions, little is known about vitamin E status in the US population. Using data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994), the authors examined the distribution and correlates of serum alpha-tocopherol among 16,295 US adults aged 18 or more years. The mean concentration of alpha-tocopherol was 26.8 micromol/liter (geometric mean, 25.0 micromol/liter).The 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles were 19.6, 24.1, and 30.4 micromol/liter, respectively.The mean alpha-tocopherol/cholesterol ratio was 5.1 (geometric mean, 4.9); the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles were 4.1, 4.7, and 5.5 (10(-3)), respectively. About 27% of the US population had a low alpha-tocopherol concentration (<20 micromol/liter). After age standardization, 29% of the men, 28% of the women, 26% of the Whites (men, 27%, and women, 26%), 41% of the African Americans (men, 42%, and women, 40%), 28% of the Mexican Americans (men, 29%, and women, 27%), and 32% of the other participants (men, 36%, and women, 29%) had this low concentration. For all participants, age, educational attainment, serum cholesterol, and several serum vitamins and carotenoids were directly related to and high density lipoprotein cholesterol was inversely related to serum alpha-tocopherol concentration in multiple linear regression analysis. Men had a higher concentration than did women, and African Americans had the lowest concentration of any racial or ethnic group. These results show that important proportions of US adults have a low serum alpha-tocopherol concentration, which may increase their risk for chronic diseases in which low dietary intake or blood concentration of alpha-tocopherol have been implicated.     

20-Year trends in dietary and meal behaviors were similar in U.S. children and adolescents of different race/ethnicity

Recent survey data reveal persistent race/ethnic disparities in prevalence of adiposity in U.S. children and adolescents. We examined race/ethnic differentials in time trends in dietary behaviors of Americans 2-19 y of age to understand if these trends track those observed for body weight. We used dietary data from the NHANES 1988-1994, 1999-2002, and 2003-2008 (n = 24,131) to examine changes in reported energy intake, amount of foods and beverages, number of eating occasions, and percent of energy from foods and beverages, among non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Mexican American 2-19 y olds. Multivariable regression analyses appropriate for complex surveys were used to examine these associations. The secular increase in mean number of eating occasions was significant (P-trend < 0.0001) in all age and race/ethnic groups; however, a corresponding increase in the amount of foods and beverages, or total energy intake was not observed. In non-Hispanic black and Mexican American 2-5 and 12-19 y olds, the secular increase in number of eating occasions, and in non-Hispanic black 12-19 y olds, the increase in percent of energy from all beverages or non-nutritive beverages were greater relative to non-Hispanic whites. In conclusion, the observed race/ethnic differences in trajectory of changes in dietary behaviors over past 20 y were modest and were not accompanied by a significant increase in energy intake. Cautious interpretation is urged due to potential underreporting of dietary intake in national surveys. There was a suggestion of convergence in some race/ethnic differentials in dietary behaviors due to greater relative changes in possibly adverse behaviors in non-Hispanic blacks, especially adolescents.     

Diet quality varies by race/ethnicity of Head Start mothers

BACKGROUND: Despite the key role that women from limited income families play as family food providers and their high risk for diet-related chronic diseases, there is a paucity of data about their diet quality and how it might vary by race/ethnicity. OBJECTIVE: To compare nutrient and food intakes of multiethnic mothers with children in Head Start from Texas and Alabama. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, secondary data analysis. METHODS: The sample was 603 mothers, 33% Hispanic American from Texas; 19% African American from Texas; 24% African American from Alabama; and 24% white from Alabama who were interviewed from fall 2004 to spring 2005. Diet quality was evaluated by averaging 24-hour dietary recalls from 3 nonconsecutive days and calculating the percent meeting the Estimated Average Requirement, the Dietary Guidelines for fat and added sugar, and the mean adequacy ratio for eight nutrients. For multiple comparisons, the least square means statement was used for general linear model procedures, adjusted for age, body mass index, and energy intake. RESULTS: The average mean adequacy ratio scores for diet quality were low overall, but 44% of Hispanic Americans had mean adequacy ratio scores <85, whereas 96% to 97% of other groups did. Most mothers exceeded 35% of energy from fat, with Hispanic Americans having the lowest percentage. Overall, 15% of mothers exceeded 25% of energy from added sugars, with Hispanic Americans having 5% with excess intakes. Energy intakes were highest for Hispanic Americans (2,017 kcal) and lowest for African Americans (1,340 kcal). The Hispanic Americans surveyed averaged 4.6 c fruit and vegetables per day compared to 3.2, 2.3, and 2.9 c/day among African Americans from Texas, African Americans from Alabama, and whites from Alabama, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite limited food resources, Hispanic-American mothers consumed adequate amounts of fruit and vegetables. There was considerable variation in diet quality among race/ethnic groups on a low income budget.