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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #196397
Title: STUDY OF DIETARY PATTERNS AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH OBESITY IN THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN POPULATION

Author
item CARRERA, PATRICIA - UNIV MARYLAND
item GAO, XIANG - TUFTS/HNRCA
item Tucker, Katherine

Submitted to: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2006
Publication Date: 3/7/2006
Citation: Carrera, P.M., Gao, X., Tucker, K.L. 2006. Study of Dietary Patterns and their Correlation with Obesity in the Mexican-American Population. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference. A1000:646.8.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicate that the trend toward increasing overweight and obesity among Mexican-Americans is continuing. This large population subgroup has a high prevalence of obesity and associated chronic conditions. Ethnic groups have been shown to have different dietary patterns based on their geographical locations and various cultural influences. We examined the dietary patterns of the Mexican-Americans and their association with total and central obesity. We hypothesized that Mexican-American adults following a traditional diet would have a lower prevalence of obesity than those following a more typically American diet. Data were from the NHANES 2001-2002 and included 835 adults, aged 18 to 60. Dietary patterns were defined by cluster analysis of food group variables, expressed as percentage contribution to total energy intake. Obesity was assessed by body mass index (BMI, kg/m^2) and central obesity by waist circumference. We defined four dietary patterns, each named after the food groups that were most predominant relative to the other clusters: poultry, baked products, traditional foodstuffs (such as tacos, tortillas, etc.), and meat. Surprisingly, we did not identify a healthy diet pattern group in this population, as has been generally observed in other ethnic groups. Contrary to our hypothesis, the traditional diet pattern was associated with higher values of BMI and waist circumference. More details on possible changes within the traditional pattern associated with acculturation, including use of fast food vs. home-prepared Mexican foods, are needed to better understand the observed association with obesity.