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Title: Food choices, health behavior, and risk factors for hypertension and diabetes among Lower Mississippi Delta residents

Author
item MCGEE, BERNESTINE - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M
item SIMPSON, PIPPA - ACHRI-DAC
item GOSSETT, JEFFREY - ACHRI-DAC
item JOHNSON, GLENDA - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M
item THORNTON, ALMA - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M
item RICHARDSON, VALERIE - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M
item JOHNSON, CRYSTAL - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M
item Bogle, Margaret

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/30/2007
Publication Date: 5/2/2007
Citation: McGee, B.B., Simpson, P.M., Gossett, J.M., Johnson, G.S., Thornton, A., Richardson, V., Johnson, C., Bogle, M.L. 2007. Food choices, health behavior, and risk factors for hypertension and diabetes among Lower Mississippi Delta residents [abstract]. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 829.14(D29):286.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Lifestyle choices, such as diet, engaging in physical activity, and using tobacco or alcohol, affect health and are affected by health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between food choices, behavior, diet, and hypertension and diabetes. In a representative sample of 1487 Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) adults, the relationship was assessed between socio-demographic factors, diet and health behavior, and risk factors for hypertension and diabetes. Twenty-four-hour dietary recall data were collected by computer-assisted telephone interviews, and diet quality was measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). In general, a higher proportion of persons having diabetes or hypertension (P<0.05) made better food choices, were more likely to select low-fat cheese, salad dressing, and low-fat ice cream. Adults with hypertension had a better Healthy Eating Index score for saturated fat and fruit. However, in general better food choices were not consistently reflected in better healthy eating indices or sub-indices. A higher proportion of those with hypertension exercised at least once a week. Thus, it seems that among LMD adults, poor health improves some health behavior, but eating habits may still require modification. Interventions are needed to encourage consistent healthy eating practices in order to reduce risk of health problems.