ARS | Publication request: Diet Quality of Multiethnic Mothers with Limited Incomes in the Southern United States

Submitted to: International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 10, 2007
Publication Date: June 21, 2007
Citation: Tsuei, E., Hoerr, S., Nicklas, T., Franklin, F. 2007. Diet quality of multiethnic mothers with limited incomes in the southern United States [abstract]. Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Conference of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. p. 202-203.

Technical Abstract: This study compared nutrient intakes of a multiethnic sample of mothers with children in Head Start in 2 southern states in the U.S.: 24% white (W), 43% African American (AA) and 33% Hispanic (HSP). Interviewers elicited 3 nonconsecutive days of dietary recalls. Diet quality was evaluated using the percentage meeting the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for fat and sugar, energy density per 100 g of food plus energy containing beverages, and the Mean Adequacy Ratio for 8 nutrients. Pairwise multiple comparisons were adjusted for age, BMI and energy intake to detect differences among the four ethnicity/race groups. Overall, nutrient adequacy was low and fat intakes were high, as reflected in food consumption patterns. The BMIs were likewise high (31+8), with the AA having the highest percentage with BMIs > 30. Over 85% failed to meet the EAR for fiber, Vitamin E, calcium, and potassium, and over 50% failed to meet the EAR for omega 3 FA, vitamin D, and folate. Fifty-five percent exceeded 35% kcal from fat, with HSP having the lowest percentage. Overall, 15% of mothers exceeded 25% kcal from added sugars, with HSP having only 5% with excess intakes. Energy intakes were highest for HSP and lowest for AA, yet the HSPs had the lowest energy-dense diets (78 kcal/100 g food vs 91,107 kcal/100g, W and AA, respectively). Despite limited food resources, there were interesting differences in diet quality among race/ethnic groups demonstrating considerable variation in diet quality within a low-income budget.