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PubMed1999

Differential responsiveness of dopamine transmission to food-stimuli in nucleus accumbens shell/core compartments.

The nucleus accumbens septi is the major target of mesolimbic dopamine neurons originating in the ventral tegmental area of the mesencephalon. Studies involving experimental manipulation of dopamine transmission by drugs and by lesions, as well as in vivo monitoring of extracellular dopamine concentrations, have provided evidence that the dopamine transmission of the nucleus accumbens plays an important role in behaviour motivated by conventional (e.g., food, sex) and drug reinforcers. Motivated behaviour is distinguished into an appetitive (preparatory/anticipatory) phase consisting of flexible response patterns intended to search and approach the reward itself, and a consummatory phase, consisting of fixed response patterns (eating, drinking, copulating, etc.) finalized to the utilization of the biological resources of the reward (caloric, metabolic, genetic, etc.). While some studies reported a stimulation of dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens in relation to appetitive as well as consummatory behaviour, other studies reported a relationship exclusively with consummatory behaviour. Therefore, the precise relationship between dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens and specific phases of motivated behaviour is debated. On the basis of topographical, histochemical and connectional evidence, the nucleus accumbens has been subdivided into two compartments, a medioventral "shell" and a laterodorsal "core". This heterogeneity may be relevant to the current debate over the role of nucleus accumbens dopamine in behaviour. Thus, one might hypothesize that, depending on the specific compartment of the nucleus accumbens where dopamine transmission is monitored, a different relationship with specific stimuli which motivate behaviour is obtained. In order to verify this possibility we monitored by microdialysis the changes in dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens shell and core during appetitive and consummatory phases of behaviour motivated by food. As food we utilized a palatable snack food (Fonzies) whose consumption has been shown in previous studies from our laboratory to release dopamine in the nucleus accumbens shell and in the medial prefrontal cortex. Unpredicted consumption of Fonzies preferentially stimulated dopamine transmission in the shell as compared to the core. Appetitive food stimuli (perforated Fonzies-filled boxes) phasically stimulated dopamine transmission in the core but not in the shell and sensitized the dopamine response to feeding in the core but inhibited that in the shell. These clear-cut differences between nucleus accumbens shell and core suggest that phasic dopamine transmission in each compartment of the nucleus accumbens subserves different roles in motivated behaviour.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mood and forbidden foods' influence on perceptions of binge eating.

This study consists of two experiments investigating the effects of induced mood and food type on perceptions of eating in imagined and real eating situations. A total of 212 female undergraduates representing the continuum of bulimic symptomatology were induced with either elated or depressed moods using a standardized mood-induction procedure. They were then either asked to imagine themselves in a situation with either forbidden or non-forbidden foods (Experiment 1) or else were presented with a buffet of forbidden or non-forbidden foods and asked to eat (Experiment 2). Participants subsequently reported their perception of their eating behavior (i.e., amount of control, meal rating: from a snack to a binge; and meal feeling: from great to bad). Results revealed limited support for affect regulation models of bulimia nervosa when the participants consumed food, but no support for the theory when they imagined eating. Conversely, forbidden foods were found to influence perceptions in the imagined eating situation, but not when the participants ate. Implications of these results are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Eating patterns and obesity in children. The Bogalusa Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is a growing public health problem. This study examined the association between eating patterns and overweight status in children who participated in the Bogalusa Heart Study. METHODS: A single 24-hour dietary recall was collected on a cross-sectional sample of 1562 children aged 10 years (65% Euro-American [EA], 35% African American [AA]) over a 21-year period. Overweight was defined as body mass index greater than the 85th percentile using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reference standards. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association between eating patterns and overweight. RESULTS: Consumption of sweetened beverages (58% soft drinks, 20% fruit flavor drinks, 19% tea, and 3% coffee) (p<0.001); sweets (desserts, candy, and sweetened beverages) (p<0.001); meats (mixed meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, pork, and beef) (p<0.051); and total consumption of low-quality foods (p<0.01) were positively associated with overweight status. Total amount of food consumed, specifically from snacks, was positively associated with overweight status (p<0.05). There was a lack of congruency in the types of eating patterns associated with overweight status across four ethnic-gender groups. The percent variance explained from the eating pattern-overweight models was very small. The interaction of ethnicity and gender was significantly associated with overweight status (p<0.001). The odds of being overweight for EA males were 1.2 times higher than for AA females. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that numerous eating patterns were associated with overweight status, yet the odds of being overweight were very small. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings in a longitudinal sample having multiple days of assessment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Misleading nutrition claims on cracker packages prior to and following implementation of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared patterns in selected health claims on snack cracker packaging and fat content prior to and following enforcement of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA). METHODS: Through observations at supermarkets in 1991 and 1995, the prevalence on packages of health claims that consumers associate with heart disease prevention was evaluated. The fat content of each product also was recorded. Criteria for potentially misleading claims were developed. RESULTS: Analysis of both cross-sectional data and products that were available in both years showed that fat content, as well as the number of products containing target claims, had significantly decreased by 1995. The prevalence of potentially misleading claims also declined significantly, from 77% in 1991 to 49% in 1995. CONCLUSIONS: Although the data regarding the changes from 1991 to 1995 are encouraging, the prevalence of potentially misleading health claims for this food category continues to be high.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Effect of polyol gums on dental plaque in orthodontic patients.

Sixty 11- to 15-year-old children wearing fixed orthodontic appliances were given chewing gums containing polyol for daily use after meals and snacks, to study whether the chewing of gums that contained slowly fermentable polyols (xylitol and sorbitol) affects the amount of dental plaque and the number of mutans streptococci present in plaque and saliva. The 60 subjects were randomly divided into four groups, each of which was provided with a supply of 1.35 gm pellet-shaped gums for a period of 1 month, as follows: (1) xylitol; (2) sorbitol; (3) xylitol-sorbitol mixture I (3:2); and (4) xylitol-sorbitol mixture II (4:1). In each group, two pellets with a total initial gum mass of 2.7 gm (maximum polyol dose per day: 10.5 gm), were used six times a day. The fresh and dry weight of dental plaque, collected at baseline and 28 days later from incisors, canines, and premolars from the area between gingival margin and the bracket, reduced in all groups, but most significantly (by 43% to 47%) in children receiving xylitol gum. The plaque and saliva levels of mutans streptococci did not change in the sorbitol group, but was significantly (in most cases) reduced by 13% to 33% in groups that received gum containing xylitol. Provided that the quantity of dental plaque and the plaque and salivary levels of mutans streptococci can be regarded as risk factors in dental caries, these results suggest that regular use of polyol gum--and especially gum that contains xylitol as the predominant sweetener--can reduce the caries risk in young patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Can foods with added soya-protein or fish-oil reduce risk factors for coronary disease? A factorial randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To develop functional foods which are capable of reducing key risk factors for coronary heart disease in an at risk population. The specific hypothesis tested here was that providing bread, cracker biscuits and snack bars fortified with DHA (long-chain omega 3) and soya-protein would havd a positive impact on cholesterol and blood pressure. METHODS AND RESULTS: A pragmatic, double-blind, factorial placebo-controlled randomised trial recruiting 213 middle-aged men and women with untreated elevated total cholesterol or blood pressure. The factors examined were the effect of giving supplies of bread, cereal bars and cracker biscuits fortified with 2 g fish oils (DHA, 22: 6n-3), or 25 g soya-protein (containing 50 mg of isoflavonoids) for five weeks. Primary and secondary outcomes included total, low-density and high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Compliance was assessed using biomarkers and food intake histories. DHA enriched foods increased HDL-C by 6.0% (95% CI 2.5%, 9.6%) but had no effect on total or low-density cholesterol or blood pressure. Overall, soya-protein did not influence any of the outcomes assessed. However, in women only, soya-protein increased systolic blood pressure by 5.9% (95% CI 1.73, 9.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Adding DHA (fish-oils) to staple foods might supplement existing methods to help reduce CVD morbidity and mortality. However, these findings highlight the importance of ensuring that functional foods do not present any harms to particular subgroups within a general population, if they are to be made freely available to consumers. This latter point requires further attention by the research community in relation to soya-protein.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed1993

Hypoglycaemia in the diabetic child.

Hypoglycaemia is the most frequent acute complication of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The clinical symptoms of insulin-induced hypoglycaemia can be grouped into those attributable to the sympathetic and adrenergic responses, e.g. tremor, pallor, palpitation, sweating, mydriasis ('hypoglycaemia awareness'), and those attributable to brain dysfunction, ranging from headache to convulsions and coma. Hypoglycaemia in diabetic children can occur at any time of the day, but nocturnal hypoglycaemia is a particular fear and worry. The frequency of mild hypoglycaemia is almost impossible to ascertain and the incidence of severe hypoglycaemia varies between 0.07 and 3.6 episodes per patient-year, though most authors report a range of 0.1-0.2 episode per patient-year. The most frequent causes of hypoglycaemia in diabetic children are deviations from treatment routine such as strenuous exercise, omission of snacks or skipped meals, and gross deviations from the prescribed times of insulin injections and recommended doses of insulin. Other predisposing factors include intensified insulin treatment, improved glycaemic control, young age, longer duration of diabetes and defective counterregulation. The available paediatric studies do not seem to support the suggestion that human insulin impairs the perception of hypoglycaemic symptoms ('hypoglycaemia unawareness') and increases the frequency of hypoglycaemic episodes, but further conclusive studies are needed. Prolonged and recurrent severe hypoglycaemia, particularly in younger children, can cause permanent neuropsychological dysfunction (e.g. learning disabilities) and permanent electroencephalographic abnormalities. Mild hypoglycaemia has also been documented to affect cognitive function, and the performance of neuropsychological tasks can remain decreased for some time (up to several hours) after full clinical recovery from hypoglycaemia. An impending hypoglycaemic attack can usually be averted by the ingestion of 20 g of rapidly absorbed carbohydrate. A severe episode can be effectively treated outside hospital with subcutaneous or intramuscular glucagon (0.5-1.0 mg) or in the hospital by an intravenous bolus of 0.2-0.5 g/kg glucose followed by a continuous glucose infusion. Patient and parent education and vigilant application of diabetes self-care principles are perhaps the most effective means of prevention, but in very young children a less strict metabolic control (higher glycosylated haemoglobin levels) may be necessary.

Child↗

PubMed2004

Dietary change in an intervention trial of wheat bran fiber and colorectal adenoma recurrence.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to determine whether participants in the Wheat Bran Fiber (WBF) trial exhibited changes in diet over time, and whether these changes were differential by assigned treatment group. METHODS: The WBF trial was a randomized trial with participants assigned to one of two groups: a low-fiber (2.0 g/d) or high-fiber (13.5 g/d) wheat bran fiber cereal supplement. A total of 685 participants from both treatment groups completed the Arizona Food Frequency Questionnaire (AFFQ) at baseline, year one, and year three of the trial. Means were calculated for nutrient intake, change in nutrient intake, number of food group servings, and change in number of food group servings. RESULTS: For both treatment groups combined, significant increases were observed for most micronutrients and vitamins at years one and three, while fat intake significantly decreased. Participants from both groups significantly increased their consumption of cereals, breads, and crackers, but decreased the number of servings from the meat, poultry, and egg group, the fats group, and the salty snacks group. The only differential changes in intake between the treatment groups were for sugar and iron, which increased to a lesser extent among those assigned to the high-fiber treatment as compared with the low-fiber group. CONCLUSIONS: Although differential dietary intake was not appreciable in the WBF trial, participants exhibited longitudinal changes. Future intervention studies should carefully monitor dietary changes during the trial with multiple dietary assessment tools to assess potential secular and treatment-related diet changes.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2001

Can a nutrition intervention improve albumin levels among hemodialysis patients? A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a tailored intervention on albumin levels among hemodialysis patients. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Eight freestanding chronic hemodialysis units in northeast Ohio. SUBJECTS: Eighty-three randomly selected adult patients who had been on dialysis for at least 6 months and had a mean albumin <3.7 g/dL (bromcresol green method) or <3.4 g/dL (bromcresol purple method) for the last 3 months. To better elucidate the feasibility and outcomes of the intervention, we selected more intervention than control patients. INTERVENTION: Dietitians of the 52 intervention patients determined whether any of the following potential barriers to adequate protein nutrition were present for each patient: (1) poor knowledge of protein-containing foods, (2) poor appetite, (3) needing help shopping or cooking, (4) low fluid intake, and (5) inadequate dialysis. Depending on the specific barriers present, the dietitians (1) educated patients on protein-containing foods, (2) recommended snacks for which patients had preserved appetite, (3) helped set up social supports, (4) provided recommendations on fluid intake, and/or (5) arranged for improved dialysis. Dietitians of the 31 control patients continued to provide usual care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in albumin after 6 months, stratified as minimal change (less than.25 g/dL increase or decrease), moderate improvement (.25 to.49 g/dL increase), and large improvement (increase of .50 g/dL or more). To examine the role of inflammatory states, we also determined serum C-reactive protein levels at the beginning and end of the trial. RESULTS: Among intervention patients, 29% had a minimal change in albumin, 44% had a moderate improvement, and 27% had a large improvement. Among control patients, 74% had a minimal change in albumin, 19% had a moderate improvement, and 6% had a large improvement (P <.001 for comparison of intervention and control subjects). About 60% of subjects had high baseline C-reactive protein levels (> 10 mg/L). However, there was little relationship between change in albumin and either baseline C-reactive protein levels or changes in C-reactive protein levels (P = .83). CONCLUSION: A nutrition intervention tailored to patient-specific barriers resulted in improved albumin levels even among patients with high C-reactive protein levels. Further work is needed to refine and test this intervention on a larger sample.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Clinical indicators associated with poor oral intake of patients with chronic renal failure.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to determine the incidence of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) who consume less than 75% of their estimated nutritional needs, and (2) to identify factors associated with an oral intake less than 75% of the estimated nutritional needs of patients with CRF. DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive, correlational study of data obtained from patients with a diagnosis of CRF. SETTING: BryanLGH Medical Center East Campus, Lincoln, NE. PATIENTS: Sixty-six patients included on this study met the following criteria: (1) a primary or secondary underlying diagnosis of CRF and (2) not receiving parenteral or enteral (tube feeding) nutritional support on admission. INTERVENTION: Admission data (age, sex, percentage of ideal body weight, weight loss/time, type of dialysis, gastrointestinal history, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, and diet) were collected from the patients' medical records and 2-day kilocalorie (kcal)/protein counts were conducted on consecutive patients admitted to the hospital. The kcal/protein counts were initiated within 24 hours of admission and consisted of six meals and all snacks the patient received. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Only 15% of the patients met 75% or greater of their estimated kcal needs, and 12% met 75% or greater of their estimated protein needs. The mean kcal/kg intake was 11 kcal/kg, with a range of 0 to 27 kcal/kg, and the mean protein/kg intake was 0.42 g of protein/kg, with a range of 0 to 10 g of protein/kg. Of the variables studied for associations with decreased nutrient intake, only emesis mildly correlated with kcal intake. CONCLUSION: Less than one quarter of the patients on this study met 75% or greater of their kcal and protein needs. The average kcal and protein intakes found in this study were far less than current recommendations for hemodialysis, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, and predialysis patients. However, the results of this study could lead to earlier and more aggressive interventions in patients with CRF at risk for poor oral intake.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1996

Substance use: toward an understanding of its relation to nutrition-related attitudes and behavior among Israeli high school youth.

PURPOSE: To study the distribution, prevalence, determinants, and association between substance use (e.g., cigarettes, alcohol, and illegal drugs) and eating attitudes and behavior of high school students in the Negev region of Israel in order to provide an improved basis for prevention and health services. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire regarding attitudes and behavior related to substance use and eating (e.g., breakfast before school, a snack or meal during school time, and three meals a day) was answered by 1,513 high school age youth. RESULTS: The study participants were at greater risk of poor eating behavior if they: (1) used cigarettes, alcohol, and/or illicit substances (p < .01); and (2) were female (p < .01). It was found that girls who used cigarettes were more likely than other young people studied not to eat properly and not to know about the relation between proper eating behavior and personal health (p < .05). Regardless whether cigarettes, alcohol, or illicit substances were used or not used, more than 50% of the youth reported not eating breakfast and 30% indicated they did not eat three meals daily. CONCLUSIONS: There are many concerns about the use and abuse of both licit and illicit substances among adolescents. More attention, however, needs to be given to the relationship between substance use and the attitudes and behavior of young people toward their health, including proper eating habits. The results support the need to develop drug prevention and health programs that are more comprehensive in terms of addressing the broad range of factors associated with adolescent growth and development.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Effect of parental mental health status on adolescents' dietary behaviors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore whether adolescents of substance-abusing and depressed parents were more likely to have poor dietary behaviors than those in the health comparison families. METHODS: The sample consisted of 841 adolescents in families of substance-abusing parents, depressed parents, and parents without a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. All adolescents were given a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Adolescents whose parents had substance abuse disorder had lower intakes of fruits and higher intakes of high fat foods, and also ate more frequently at fast-food restaurants and purchased more snacks. Adolescents whose parents were depressed had lower intakes of all food groups. Mother's mental health status impacted more on adolescents' dietary behaviors than did the father's mental health status. CONCLUSION: This research suggests that at-risk behaviors among youth of psychiatrically impaired parents may extend to food behaviors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Alterations in adolescents' sensory taste preferences during and after pregnancy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine adolescents' preferences during and after pregnancy for foods that differed in fat, sugar, and salt content, components that are associated with much of the flavor in food and, hence, are related to food acceptance. METHODS: Sensory taste preferences for 16 foods were assessed by 52 white adolescents during the third trimester of pregnancy and again 11-13 months postpartum. The study design was a randomized, incomplete block design. Each subject evaluated the same eight foods at each interview using a 10-cm hedonic scale, which was scored 0 = "dislike extremely" to 10 = "like extremely." Three pairs of foods differed in fat content (e.g., ice cream vs. ice milk), two pairs differed in sugar content, but neither contained a sugar substitute (e.g., peaches in heavy syrup vs. natural juices), and three pairs differed in salt content (e.g., salted vs. unsalted peanuts). Differences in preferences were determined with least-squares analysis of variance. RESULTS: Although preferences for 13 of the 16 foods did not differ between pregnancy and postpartum assessments, whole milk, skim milk, and salted peanuts were ranked significantly higher (p = 0.02, 0.007, and 0.05) during pregnancy. Hedonic scores were higher (p = 0.002 and 0.005) for whole milk over skim at both assessments, but ice cream was not preferred significantly over lower fat frozen products. During pregnancy, but not after, salted peanuts, chips, and crackers were preferred (p = 0.0003, 0.0001, and 0.03) over the unsalted/low-salt products. CONCLUSIONS: The adolescents' increased sensory taste preferences for milk and salty snack foods during pregnancy, as well as personal taste preferences, should be recognized by clinicians, and nutrition recommendations should be individualized to enhance compliance.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

A survey on the management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy by obstetrician/gynecologists.

Our objective was to survey obstetrician/gynecologists concerning their management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. We mailed a survey on nutrition during pregnancy to the 230 ACOG Fellows who are members of the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network and to a control sample of 800 non-Network Fellows. Results presented here are for the questions concerning prevalence and management of pregnancy-induced nausea. A total of 488 surveys (47.4% response rate) were analyzed. Respondents reported that on average, 51.4% of patients complain of nausea during pregnancy, and 9.2% complain of severe or prolonged nausea with vomiting. Respondents reported that on average, 2.4% of patients require hospitalization because of hyperemesis gravidarum. Treatments recommended by a majority of respondents for moderate nausea were eating frequent small meals (95.5%), snacking on soda crackers (88.5%), avoiding strong odors (75.6%), taking a prescribed antiemetic (71.3%), taking ginger (51.8%), and eliminating iron supplements (50%). Women physicians were more likely to recommend ginger and less likely to prescribe an antiemetic. For severe and sustained nausea with vomiting, with additional symptoms such as dehydration or weight loss, intravenous hydration (88.7%) and antiemetics (74.0%) were the most common treatment options. Almost half (48.8%) of respondents would hospitalize such patients. We conclude that obstetrician/gynecologists appear to be knowledgeable concerning current opinion on managing nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Improvements in the management of nausea during pregnancy are more likely to come from further research, not education of physicians.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Effects of mood induction on eating behavior and cigarette craving in dietary restrainers.

Women high in dietary restraint ("restrainers") increase food intake more than nonrestrainers following emotional arousal. When restrained smokers are deprived of cigarettes during elevated mood states, nicotine craving should increase with food craving. The present study investigated the interaction of smoking and affect on food intake in 60 women, 18-25 years old, who were identified as restrainers. The study consisted of smokers and nonsmokers who viewed a domestic violence or comedy film segment, followed by exposure to snacks. Emotional arousal, regardless of valence, did not result in a difference in food consumption between smokers and nonsmokers. Furthermore, smokers showed similar levels of nicotine craving after both films. Self-report of mood changed only in the domestic violence condition, indicating the difficulty of positive mood induction. Limitations to the study and suggestions for further research are discussed.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Changing eating behavior: a preliminary study to consider broader measures of weight control treatment success.

This study evaluated changes in the self-reported eating behaviors (snacking, binge eating, portion sizes, and meal skipping) of 52 obese adults (33 women and 19 men) attending a residential weight loss facility on two consecutive occasions. For each of the eating patterns studied, subjects reported engaging in the behavior significantly less frequently at the time of their return visit. It is proposed that changes in eating behaviors provide a useful and appropriate nonweight based outcome measure for estimating treatment success in diet-seeking clients.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Role of food prepared away from home in the American diet, 1977-78 versus 1994-96: changes and consequences.

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes, between 1977-78 and 1994-96, in the quantity and quality of food Americans consumed that was prepared at home versus away from home. DESIGN: Data were obtained from nationwide surveys of food consumption conducted by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1977-78 and 1994-96. To maximize comparability, we used "day 1" dietary data, which both surveys collected via 24-hour recall. SUBJECTS/SETTINGS: Individuals 2 years of age and over were selected. USDA sampling weights were used to generate nationally representative estimates. VARIABLES MEASURED: We categorized foods by preparation at home or at restaurants, fast-food establishments, schools/day care, and other non-home locations. We assessed percent calories from total fat and saturated fat, and the cholesterol, sodium, fiber, calcium, and iron densities of foods prepared at home versus those prepared away from home. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: T tests were calculated using accepted procedures to adjust for survey design effects. RESULTS: Between 1977-78 and 1994-96, consumption of food prepared away from home increased from 18% to 32% of total calories. Meals and snacks based on food prepared away from home contained more calories per eating occasion, and "away" food was higher in total fat and saturated fat on a per-calorie basis than at-home food. "Away" food contained less dietary fiber, calcium, and iron on a per-calorie basis. Among adults but not children, food prepared away from home was more sodium and cholesterol dense. IMPLICATIONS: When developing intervention messages and strategies, nutrition educators need to be aware of the increasing role of "away" food in Americans' diets.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of baseline fat-related eating behaviors of Puerto Rican, Dominican, Colombian, and Guatemalan participants who joined a cholesterol education project.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to compare baseline fat-related eating behaviors among Hispanic subgroups who joined a cholesterol education research project in New England. DESIGN: Participants attended baseline screenings as part of the study. They had their height, weight, and blood cholesterol measured and completed baseline surveys with demographic, risk factor, dietary, and psychosocial questions. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 370 Puerto Rican, 210 Colombian, 357 Dominican, and 102 Guatemalan subjects participated in the baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dietary behavior was measured using the Food Habits Questionnaire (FHQ), which was originally developed to assess food choices and preparation patterns related to adopting a low-fat diet. Measures include FHQ fat summary scores (a reflection of total fat intake), fat behavior subscales, and individual fat-related behaviors. ANALYSIS: Analysis of variance was used to compare FHQ fat summary scores and multivariate analysis of variance was used to compare fat behavior scores and individual food item scores for the 4 Hispanic subgroups. Age and gender were covariates in the models. RESULTS: Puerto Rican participants had a significantly higher mean FHQ fat summary score than Dominicans and Guatemalans and a higher prevalence of many fat-related eating behaviors. Although there were some differences by subgroup, the 4 most prevalent fat-related behaviors were similar: cooking with fat/oil, eating higher-fat sweets, eating higher-fat snacks, and eating dinners with meat. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Future educational programs and materials for diverse Hispanic audiences in the northeastern United States should include the above issues; however, educational materials and programs ought to be tailored to individuals whenever possible. Efforts may need to focus on Puerto Ricans, who had a higher prevalence of many fat-related behaviors in this study.

Adult↗