Ethnicity and nutrient intake among Arizona WISEWOMAN participants.
BACKGROUND
Diet quality and risks of chronic disease have been identified, yet nutrient intakes from older uninsured populations have been scarcely described.


METHODS
Using the dietary intake profiles of an older, uninsured, and mostly Hispanic sample of Arizona WISEWOMAN participants, two ethnic groups were compared: Mexican American and non-Hispanic white women. Sociodemographic data related to nutrient intakes were identified. Estimated mean nutrient intakes of Mexican Americans (n = 260) and non-Hispanic white (n = 88) women were compared based on ethnicity and acculturation levels. Using linear regression models, associations of individual characteristics were made on nutrients for which reported intakes were less than the estimated average requirement (EAR).


RESULTS
Mexican Americans had energy, vitamin E, and niacin intakes that were significantly lower than those of non-Hispanic whites, whereas vitamin A intake was significantly higher among Mexican Americans. Less acculturated Mexican American women had significantly higher intakes of vitamin E and folate than their more acculturated counterparts. For both ethnic and acculturation groups, intakes of vitamin E, calcium, and potassium were lower than the established standards in more than 70% of this population. Having a high body mass index (BMI) was associated with lower reported energy intake and higher protein and potassium intakes, and smoking was associated with lower intakes of vitamin E and folate.


CONCLUSIONS
Mexican American women had overall lower micronutrient intakes compared with uninsured non-Hispanic white older women; this difference may be attributed to their underreporting intake.
Gregory-Mercado
Karen Y
KY
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. Karen.Gregory-Mercado@cigna.com
Staten
Lisa K
LK
Gillespie
Cathleen
C
Ranger-Moore
James
J
Thomson
Cynthia A
CA
Giuliano
Anna R
AR
Will
Julie C
JC
Ford
Earl S
ES
Marshall
James
J
D000069:Acculturation; D000368:Aged; D001130:Arizona / Q000453:epidemiology; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000208:ethnology*; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins