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PubMed2004

Chronic hepatic disease and dietary instruction.

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a prevalent observation in cirrhotic patients. In advanced cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy, dietary protein should be restricted to the low level of 0.5 g/kg/day. In such a strictly protein restricted diet, branched amino acid-enriched nutritious products should be prescribed to improve PEM. Avoidance of day-time or nocturnal fasting by frequent meals and late evening snacks is another recommendation for prevention of PEM. The n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) modulate lymphocyte proliferation and eicosapetaenoic acid (EPA) up-regulates the metabolic action of insulin. The dietary n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio should be maintained between 2.8 and 3.2 in chronic liver disease. Oxidative stress is suggested as a trigger in the progression of chronic liver disease. Antioxidant vitamins; Vitamins A, E and C and carotenes may be useful to prevent the progression of chronic liver disease. Zinc depression occurs in advanced liver disease and it reduces taste and immune function. A goal of dietary management in chronic liver disease should be preventing PEM and blocking progression to hepatic cancer, and improving quality of life.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Adolescents' attitudes about and consumption of low-fat foods: associations with sex and weight-control behaviors.

The objective of the study was to examine adolescents' attitudes about and consumption of low-fat foods by sex and weight-control behaviors. Ninth- to 12th-grade students (n=1,083) in 20 Minnesota high schools completed mail surveys (response rate=74%) as part of baseline measurements (Fall 2001) in a randomized controlled trial (TACOS: Trying Alternative Cafeteria Options in Schools). Linear models examined attitudes and consumption of low-fat foods by sex and weight-control behaviors. Girls were more likely than boys to report positive attitudes and consumption of low-fat foods (all P<.01). Weight-control practices were associated with more positive attitudes about and higher consumption of low-fat foods. Promoting low-fat snacks to adolescents who are interested in weight control may be an effective component of nutrition intervention programs because these students have more positive attitudes about low-fat foods. Dietitians' efforts to educate adolescents about the benefits and healthfulness of low-fat foods would aid intervention programs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Feeding infants and toddlers study: What foods are infants and toddlers eating?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the food consumption patterns of US infants and toddlers, 4 to 24 months of age. DESIGN: Descriptive analysis of data collected in the 2002 Feeding Infants and Toddlers study based on telephone interviews and 24-hour dietary recalls. SUBJECTS: A national random sample of 3,022 infants and toddlers age 4 to 24 months. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: The percentage of infants and toddlers consuming foods from specific food groups was estimated for six age groups, using a single 24-hour recall. RESULTS: Infants as young as 7 months of age showed food patterns that have been observed in older children and adults. From 18% to 33% of infants and toddlers between ages 7 and 24 months consumed no discrete servings of vegetables, and 23% to 33% consumed no fruits. French fries were one of the three most common vegetables consumed by infants 9 to 11 months of age. By 15 to 18 months, french fries were the most common vegetable. Almost half (46%) of 7- to 8-month-olds consumed some type of dessert, sweet, or sweetened beverage, and this percentage increased as age increased. By 19 to 24 months, 62% of toddlers consumed a baked dessert, 20% consumed candy, and 44% consumed a sweetened beverage. APPLICATIONS: Parents and caregivers should be encouraged to offer a wide variety of vegetables and fruits daily, with emphasis on dark green, leafy, and deep yellow vegetables and colorful fruits. They should offer desserts, sweets, sweetened beverages, and salty snacks only occasionally, offering nutrient-dense, age-appropriate foods as alternatives (eg, fruit, cheese, yogurt, and cereals). Water, milk, and 100% fruit juices should be offered as alternative beverages. Because family food choices influence what foods are offered to children, family-based approaches to developing healthy eating habits may be helpful.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Accuracy of dietary recall using the USDA five-step multiple-pass method in men: an observational validation study.

OBJECTIVE: This observational validation study was conducted under controlled conditions to test the accuracy of dietary recall in normal weight, overweight, and obese men using the USDA five-step multiple-pass method for dietary recall. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of actual and recalled intake of food during 1 day. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Forty-two men ranging in age from 21 to 65 years and in body mass index from 21 to 39 kg/m(2) who lived in the metropolitan Washington DC area were studied. INTERVENTION: The subjects selected and consumed all meals and snacks, for 1 day, from a wide variety of foods provided at a human study facility. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Actual and recalled energy, protein, carbohydrate, and fat intakes were determined by direct observation and by a 24-hour dietary recall, respectively. Dietary recall was determined via telephone administration of the USDA five-step multiple-pass method the following day. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Analysis of variance and covariance tested the overall accuracy of recall and the effect of body mass index on dietary recall. Bland-Altman plots were used to assess bias in recall of food intake. RESULTS: In this population of men, there were no significant differences between actual and recalled intakes of energy (3,294+/-111 and 3,541+/-124 kcal/day), protein (117+/-5 and 126+/-5 g/day), carbohydrate (414+/-16 and 449+/-16 g/day), or fat (136+/-7 and 146+/-8 g/day), respectively. Accuracy of recall was not related to body mass index in that the obese men recalled food intake as accurately as the nonobese men. The energy intake of these men was significantly correlated (r=0.57, P<.05) with their estimated energy requirements. Significant interindividual variation in accuracy of recall was found. CONCLUSIONS: Under controlled conditions, the USDA five-step multiple-pass method can accurately assess intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, and fat in a population of men regardless of their body mass index. Researchers and clinical dietitians need to continue to examine factors that influence underreporting and overreporting of food intake by the multiple-pass 24-hour recall method.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Coordinated school health program and dietetics professionals: partners in promoting healthful eating.

Although research indicates that school meal programs contribute to improved academic performance and healthier eating behaviors for students who participate, fewer than 60% of students choose the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program. School meal programs have a difficult time competing with foods that are marketed to young people through sophisticated advertising campaigns. Youth's preferences for fast foods, soft drinks, and salty snacks; mixed messages sent by school personnel; school food preparation and serving space limitations; inadequate meal periods; and lack of education standards for school foodservice directors challenge school meal programs as well. A coordinated school health program offers a framework for meeting these challenges and provides children and adolescents with the knowledge and skills necessary for healthful eating. This article identifies challenges facing school foodservice directors in delivering healthful meals and acquaints dietetics professionals with the coordinated school health program to be used as a tool for addressing unhealthful weight gain and promoting healthful eating.

Advertising↗

PubMed2004

Children's meal patterns have changed over a 21-year period: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze children's meal patterns over 2 decades. DESIGN: One 24-hour dietary recall was collected on each child who participated in one of seven cross-sectional surveys. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Dietary intake data were collected on 1,584 10-year-old children (65% white, 35% African American), in Bogalusa, LA, from 1973 to 1994. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance adjusting for gender and ethnicity. RESULTS: From 1973 to 1978, there was a marked increase (P<.0001) in the percentage of children who skipped breakfast, from 8.2% to 29.6%. When school breakfast was introduced in 1981, the proportion of children skipping breakfast declined to 12.5% (P<.01). From 1973-1974 to 1993-1994, the percentage of children eating a school lunch declined from 89.7% (1973-1974) to 78.2% (1993-1994) (P<.001); eating lunch brought from home increased from 5.9% to 11.1% (P<.01); consuming a home dinner decreased from 89.2% to 75.9% (P<.01); eating a dinner prepared outside the home increased from 5.4% to 19.0% (P<.01); consuming a meal at a restaurant increased from 0.3% to 5.4% (P<.0001); consuming snacks decreased (P<.0001); total eating episodes decreased from 6.6 to 5.2 (P<.0001); and eating time span significantly decreased from 12.4 hours to 11.5 hours (P<.0001). Despite these changes in meal patterns, no associations were found between meal patterns and overweight status. CONCLUSIONS: Striking alterations in the meal patterns of children occurred over the 2-decade period. These changes may have implications for the changes in the dietary intakes of children during the same time. However, data from this study do not support an association between meal patterns and children's overweight status. Further research with multiple days of assessment is needed to better understand the complexity of diet as it relates to childhood obesity.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2004

Changes in food group consumption patterns from childhood to young adulthood: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess changes in food group consumption patterns from childhood to young adulthood. DESIGN: Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls were collected on a longitudinal sample of young adults. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Dietary intake data were collected on 246 young adults (70% European American, 30% African American) aged 19 to 28 years who participated in a previous cross-sectional survey when they were 10-year-olds. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Descriptive statistics and linear mixed models adjusting for study time (age), sex, and ethnicity. RESULTS: In childhood, consumption of fruits/fruit juice and mixed meats ( P </=.05), desserts, candy, and milk ( P </=.0001) were greater than in young adulthood. Young adulthood consumption was greater for sweetened beverages, poultry and seafood ( P </=.001), salty snacks ( P </=.05), and beef ( P </=.01) compared to childhood. Milk consumption decreased, but the decrease was greater among males ( P </=.0001). Sweetened beverage consumption increased, but the increase was greater for European Americans ( P </=.0001). Candy consumption decreased, but the decrease was greater for African Americans ( P </=.05). CONCLUSIONS: Changes occur in food group consumption patterns from childhood to young adulthood. Overall, there was a decrease in diet quality during this age transition. Understanding eating habits of children early in life is important for planning effective intervention strategies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Soft drinks, candy, and fast food: what parents and teachers think about the middle school food environment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the opinions and beliefs of parents and teachers of middle school students regarding the school food environment. DESIGN: Surveys mailed to parents and placed in teachers' school mailboxes included questions about adolescents' eating practices, food choice at school, and school-related food policies and practices. SUBJECTS/SETTINGS: A convenience sample of parents (n=350; response rate: 350/526=66%) and teachers (n=490; response rate: 490/701=70%) of middle school students from 16 schools in the St Paul-Minneapolis metropolitan area who participated in the Teens Eating for Energy and Nutrition at School study. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics examined the prevalence of parents' and teachers' opinions and beliefs about adolescents' eating practices, food choice at school, and school-related food policies and practices. RESULTS: Most parents and teachers agreed that the nutritional health of students should be a school priority. However, only 18% of parents and 31% of teachers believed schools give adequate attention to student nutrition. Among both parents and teachers, 90% agreed that more healthy snacks and beverages should be available in school vending machines and on school a la carte lines. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that parents and teachers are concerned about the nutritional health of students and the "state of health" of the school food environment. Dietetic and other health professionals who work in school settings should actively engage parents and teachers in the process of affecting and monitoring policies and practices that foster a healthy school food environment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Competitive foods increase the intake of energy and decrease the intake of certain nutrients by adolescents consuming school lunch.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of competitive foods on energy and nutrient intakes of adolescents participating in a school lunch program. DESIGN: Weighed plate waste data were used to assess the energy and nutrient consumption from school lunch menus items and competitive food items chosen and consumed by adolescents. The two test groups were students choosing competitive foods and those choosing no competitive foods. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Participants were sixth-grade students aged 11 to 13 years purchasing lunch in three public middle school cafeterias in Franklin County, KY (n=493 for no competitive foods and n=250 for competitive foods). The data were collected over 24 days in 2 school years. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Significant differences between the competitive foods and no competitive foods groups were determined using frequency and analysis of variance procedures. RESULTS: The data indicate that sixth-grade adolescents consumed energy and other nutrients (except iron) at significantly lower than recommended levels; one third of students purchasing school lunch also purchased competitive food items; competitive foods purchasers reduced their school lunch servings, portion weight and/or item selection and increased school lunch item plate waste, resulting in lower intakes of energy (400 kcal vs 530 kcal for no competitive foods), calcium (300 mg vs 362 mg for no competitive foods), and vitamin A (77 retinol equivalents vs 113 retinol equivalents for no competitive foods) from the school lunch; and competitive foods supplied more than one third of total energy for the meal. CONCLUSIONS: These data will enable school cafeteria planners to develop menus that include more nutritious foods, snacks, and drinks instead of the currently available competitive foods.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Family environment and pediatric overweight: what is a parent to do?

Although the causes of pediatric overweight are many and the levels of intervention required to prevent overweight in children extend from the child's immediate environment to the larger societal level, one critical intervention target is the parent. Scientific evidence points to specific dietary and physical activity/inactivity behaviors that families can adopt to encourage healthful weight status. Dietary recommendations include providing children with ample access to nutrient-dense foods and beverages and high-fiber foods, both at meals and snack times, reducing children's access to high-calorie, nutrient-poor beverages and foods both when eating at home and at restaurants, avoiding excessive food restriction or use of food as a reward, and encouraging children to eat breakfast on a daily basis. Physical activity recommendations include providing opportunities and encouragement for children to be physically active while reducing children's television and video game time. Parental modeling of healthful eating and physical activity practices is recommended to reinforce these patterns in youth. Dietetics professionals, physicians, and other health care professionals can assist parents in their efforts to prevent pediatric overweight by providing information and supporting these key behaviors, while working to create environments that support healthful lifestyle changes.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Position of the American Dietetic Association: benchmarks for nutrition programs in child care settings.

It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that all child care programs should achieve recommended benchmarks for meeting children's nutrition and nutrition education needs in a safe, sanitary, and supportive environment that promotes healthy growth and development. Use of child care is the norm for America's families. It is essential, therefore, that nutrition professionals work in partnership with child care providers and with children's families to ensure that meals and snacks consumed in child care settings meet children's nutrition needs and provide them with excellent models of healthy dietary patterns. This position provides guidance and information about resources for nutrition professionals, health care practitioners, child care providers, and parents regarding meal plans, food preparation and food service, physical and social environment, and nutrition consultation and training for child care.

Benchmarking↗

PubMed2005

Dietitian services are associated with improved patient outcomes and the MEDFICTS dietary assessment questionnaire is a suitable outcome measure in cardiac rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to (a) examine the effectiveness of registered dietitian (RD) education and counseling on diet-related patient outcomes compared with general education provided by the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) staff, and (b) evaluate the effectiveness of the Meats, Eggs, Dairy, Fried foods, In baked goods, Convenience foods, Table fats, Snacks (MEDFICTS) score as an outcome measure in CR. METHODS: Observational study data examined from 426 CR patients discharged between January 1996 and February 2004. Groups were formed based on education source: (a) RD and (b) general education from CR staff. Baseline characteristics were compared between groups; pre/post diet-related outcomes (lipids, waist circumference, body mass index, MEDFICTS score) were compared within groups. Controlling for baseline measures and lipid-lowering medication, associations were examined between (a) RD education and diet-related outcomes and (b) ending MEDFICTS score and diet-related outcomes. RESULTS: Mean age was 62+/-11 years, 30% of patients were female, and 28% were nonwhite. At baseline, the RD group (n=359) had more dyslipidemia (88% vs 76%), more obesity (47% vs 27%), a larger waist (40+/-6 vs 37+/-5 inches), a higher body mass index (calculated as kg/m(2); 30+/-6 vs 27+/-5), a higher diet score (32+/-28 vs 19+/-19), and lower self-reported physical activity (7+/-12 vs 13+/-18 metabolic equivalent hours) (all P<.05) than the general education group (n=67). RD education was associated with improved low-density lipoprotein (r=0.13; P=.04), triglycerides (r=0.48; P=.01), and MEDFICTS score (r=0.18; P=.01). Improvements in MEDFICTS scores were correlated with improved total cholesterol, triglycerides, and waist measurements (all r=0.19; P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: Dietary education by an RD is associated with improved diet-related outcomes. The MEDFICTS score is a suitable outcome measure in CR.

Behavior Therapy↗

PubMed2005

Dietary sources of nutrients among rural Native American and white children.

OBJECTIVE: To identify important food sources of energy, fiber, and major macro- and micronutrients among rural Native American and white children. DESIGN: In a 1997 cross-sectional study, food frequency questionnaire data were collected during in-person interviews with caregivers of young children. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Participants included a representative sample of 329 rural Native American and non-Hispanic white children aged 1 through 6 years living in northeastern Oklahoma. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: The percentage that each of 85 food items contributed to the population intake of 10 dietary constituents was calculated for the total sample and by age and race/ethnicity. Percentages are presented in descending rank order for foods providing at least 2% of the total sample intake. Z scores were used to assess age and racial/ethnic differences in food sources. RESULTS: Primary energy sources among study children were milk, cheese, white breads, salty snacks, nondiet soft drinks, hot dogs, candy, and sweetened fruit drinks. Diets showed poor food variety. With few exceptions (eg, milk, cheese, 100% orange juice, ready-to-eat cereals, peanuts/peanut butter, and dried beans), top sources of most dietary constituents were low-nutrient-dense high-fat foods and refined carbohydrates. Solid fruits and vegetables contributed minimally to nutrient and fiber intake. There were few differences in food sources by age or race/ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Among rural Native American and white children in northeastern Oklahoma, food sources of nutrients appear less healthful than found in national samples. Sugar-sweetened beverages, high-fat foods, and refined carbohydrates are displacing more nutrient-dense alternatives, increasing children's risk for childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, and adult chronic disease.

Child↗

PubMed2005

Texas school food policy changes related to middle school a la carte/snack bar foods: potential savings in kilocalories.

The potential impact of a school food policy change reducing sweetened beverage and high-fat, salty, and sweet food portions on energy consumption of middle-school students was assessed. Snack bar sales for one school year were obtained from 23 schools. Energy content was calculated for each item and energy savings from reduced portion size was determined. Per student, about 111 kcal per day was purchased; 47 kcal per day was saved when reduced portion sizes were substituted for the large servings. These findings should provide some assurance that changes in food portion sizes in school food environments could impact energy balance.

Carbonated Beverages↗

PubMed2006

Maternal and child characteristics associated with infant and toddler feeding practices.

OBJECTIVE: To describe maternal/child characteristics associated with important practices of feeding US infants and toddlers aged 4 to 24 months. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of data collected in the 2002 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study. Maternal/child characteristics associated with compliance to American Academy of Pediatrics feeding guidelines, and maternal/child characteristics associated with specific feeding patterns were assessed. SUBJECTS: A national random sample of mothers (n=2,515) whose infants and toddlers aged 4 to 24 months made up the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study cohort. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student t tests were used to compare the means and standard errors and were considered significant if P<.05. To predict if the mother/child met a particular recommendation, logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Having a college education was the maternal characteristic associated with the largest number of positive child feeding behaviors. Mothers with a college education were significantly more likely than mothers without a college education to initiate breastfeeding and breastfeed the child to age 6 and 12 months (OR 2.8, 3.2, and 3.9, respectively). College-educated mothers were significantly more likely to comply with the American Academy of Pediatrics juice and complementary feeding recommendations (OR 1.4 and 2.0). In addition, infants and toddlers whose mother had a college education were more likely to consume fruit and less likely to consume sweetened beverages and desserts or candy. Ever breastfeeding the sample child, living in the western region of the United States, and being married and older were also associated with multiple positive practices. The child being in day care was associated with decreased duration of breastfeeding at age 6 and 12 months as well as with consumption of salty snacks. CONCLUSIONS: Initiatives to improve infant and toddler feeding practices should focus on assisting mothers who have less than a college education, who are unmarried, whose child is in day care, or who are enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Current electrolyte intakes of infants and toddlers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how sodium, chloride, and potassium intakes of today's infants and toddlers compare with the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) of these nutrients established recently by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine. STUDY DESIGN: Population estimates of usual intake distributions of sodium, chloride (assumed to be equamolar to sodium), and potassium of 4- to 5-, 6- to 11-, and 12- to 24-month-old infants and toddlers were calculated and compared with DRIs of these nutrients by 0- to 6-month-old, 7- to 12-month-old, and 1- to 3-year-old children. SUBJECTS: Infants and toddlers (n=3,022) who participated in the 2002 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Means and distributions (percentiles) of the usual intakes of sodium, chloride, and potassium were calculated using Institute of Medicine-recommended procedures and compared with the DRIs (ie, Adequate Intake [AI] and tolerable upper intake level [UL]). RESULTS: Mean sodium and chloride intakes of 4- to 5-month-old infants (188 mg/day and 290 mg/day, respectively) were 57% greater than the AIs (120 mg/day and 180 mg/day) and mean potassium intake (730 mg/day) was 83% higher than the AI (400 mg/day). Mean sodium, chloride, and potassium intakes of 6- to 11-month-old infants were 493 mg/day, 761 mg/day, and 1,225 mg/day, respectively-33%, 33%, and 75% higher than the AIs of these nutrients for this age group (sodium, 370 mg/day; chloride, 570 mg/day; potassium, 700 mg/day). Even the 10th percentile of potassium intake of this age group was greater than the AI. The usual mean sodium and chloride intakes of 12- to 24-month-old toddlers (1,638 mg/day and 2,528 mg/day, respectively) were 64% higher than the AIs (1,000 mg/day and 1,540 mg/day, respectively) and the usual mean sodium and chloride intakes of 58% of this age group were above the ULs. In contrast, mean potassium intake of 12- to 24-month-old toddlers (1,971 mg/day) was only 66% of the AI (3,000 mg/day). At all ages, sources of sodium, chloride, and potassium intakes reflected current feeding guidelines, primarily human milk and formula prior to 6 months of age and primarily cow's milk and table foods after 1 year of age. CONCLUSIONS: Mean sodium and chloride intakes of infants and toddlers who participated in the 2002 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study exceeded the recently established AIs of these nutrients and the mean intake of 58% of toddlers exceeded the ULs. Mean potassium intake of infants also exceeded the AI of potassium, but the mean potassium intake of toddlers was only 66% of the AI. Whether current intakes of sodium, chloride, and potassium by infants and toddlers are problematical is not clear. Nonetheless, it seems desirable to bring these intakes closer to AIs. This can be accomplished by continuing breast- or formula-feeding and delaying the introduction of cow's milk; limiting the amount of salt added to home-prepared foods; limiting the intake of high-sodium foods, such as processed meats and salty snacks; and increasing the intake of fruits (high potassium and low sodium content) and vegetables (moderate potassium and sodium content).

Bottle Feeding↗

PubMed2006

Association of a traditional vs shared meal decision-making and preparation style with eating behavior of Hispanic women in San Diego County.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of meal decision-making and preparation on Hispanic women's dietary practices. DESIGN: One-on-one structured interviews were conducted, assessing meal decision-making and preparation practices, barriers, and behavioral strategies to eating low-fat and high-fiber diets, fat and fiber intake, demographic, and other psychosocial factors. SUBJECTS/SETTING: The study population included 357 Hispanic women living in the southern or central regions of San Diego County. Participants were recruited via random-digit dialing to a tailored nutrition communication intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Household decision-making style (alone vs with family) by household activity (decides meals, prepares meals, and decides snacks). STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Multiple logistic regressions were used to evaluate associations between the predictors and dependent variable. All models included adjustments for potential confounders, such as marital status, education, employment, age, and acculturation. RESULTS: A positive statistical association between Hispanic women's acculturation level and shared decision-making style was found. Also, Hispanic women in shared decision-making households faced greater psychosocial barriers to healthful eating and reported less healthful eating compared with Hispanic women in traditional households. Women in shared decision-making households were more likely to eat at fast-food restaurants, less likely to engage in behavioral strategies promoting fiber consumption, eat more saturated fat, and encounter more barriers to reduce dietary fat as compared with Hispanic women in traditional households. Acculturation did not attenuate differences in psychosocial and dietary practices between shared decision-making and traditional households. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest intervention efforts should focus on different aspects of healthful eating among Hispanic women in shared-decision, compared with traditional, households.

Acculturation↗

PubMed2006

Food practices, changes, preferences, and acculturation of Thais in the United States.

This study investigated food practices, changes, preferences, and acculturation of Thais in the United States. A questionnaire was mailed to a convenience sample of 182 individuals who were born in Thailand, had lived in the United States for at least 3 months, were age 18 years or older, and had agreed to participate; 102 (56%) completed questionnaires were returned by 62 university students and 40 residents from five states. While living in the United States, the number of meals consumed per day decreased significantly and snacks and food eaten out changed from Thai to American. Of 111 foods listed on the questionnaire, consumption frequency decreased significantly for 29 Thai foods and increased significantly for 33 American foods and total milk food group. Food group mean daily consumption frequencies while living in the United States were 3.5 bread; 3.8 vegetables; 2.2 fruits; 3.6 meat; 1.6 milk; 3.9 fats, oils, and sweets; 2.2 beverages; and 0.9 Thai mixed dishes. Most foods were liked (91 of 111; mean 5.5 or higher on a 9-point hedonic scale). Consumption frequency and liking were significantly positively related for 77 foods. Acculturation (mean 2.6, 1 to 5 scale) was significantly positively related to consumption and liking of some American foods and significantly negatively related to consumption and liking of some Thai foods. This information can be used by dietetics professionals in nutrition education for a Thai population.

Acculturation↗