Cross-cultural differences in the macronutrient intakes of women with anorexia nervosa in Australia and Singapore.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the macronutrient intakes of women with and without anorexia nervosa (AN) across cultures.


METHODS
Participants were women with AN (n = 39) and without AN (n = 89) of North European and East Asian backgrounds recruited in Australia and Singapore. Energy and the percentage energy contributed by protein (%protein), fat (%fat) and carbohydrate (%CHO) were assessed from participant's diet histories and analysed in terms of cultural group, acculturation, socio-economic status (SES) and education level.


RESULTS
AN status was associated with lower energy and higher %CHO. Greater %protein was associated with greater acculturation to Western culture and lower SES, but not AN. Greater %fat was associated with lower SES and lower acculturation in women with AN, but with higher acculturation in controls. Greater %CHO was also associated with higher SES.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings may represent Western diets' higher protein and fat contents, 'Western' knowledge of weight-loss diets, and affordability of low fat foods.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service, New South Wales, Australia. nsoh@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Nerissa Li-Wey
NL
Soh
Stephen
S
Touyz
Timothy
T
Dobbins
Lois
L
Surgenor
Simon
S
Clarke
Michael
M
Kohn
Ee Lian
EL
Lee
Vincent
V
Leow
Elizabeth
E
Rieger
Ken Eng Khean
KE
Ung
Garry
G
Walter
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000145:classification*; D044466:Asian People; D001315:Australia; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D004522:Educational Status; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D012846:Singapore; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins