title: Serum carotenoid and tocopherol concentrations vary by dietary pattern among African Americans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intakes and biochemical concentrations of carotenoids and tocopherols have been associated with chronic diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe dietary patterns in Jackson Heart Study participants and to determine if biochemical measurements of antioxidants differ across these.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analysis of data for 373 African-American men and women (age 35 to 80 years), participating in the Diet and Physical Activity Substudy of the Jackson Heart Study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dietary intake was assessed with a region specific food frequency questionnaire. Patterns were defined by cluster analysis of food groups, as percent of energy intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four dietary patterns were identified: fast food, Southern, prudent, and juice. Individuals in the fast-food pattern (n=153) had significantly lower serum concentrations of lutein plus zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin; those in the Southern cluster (n=99) had significantly lower serum alpha-carotene; and those in the prudent (n=63) and juice (n=58) clusters had significantly higher serum alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin (P<0.05) relative to those in at least one other cluster (all P<0.05). The juice cluster also had higher serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations relative to the fast-food cluster.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diets high in fast foods, snacks, soft drinks, and meat were associated with relatively low concentrations of carotenoids and alpha-tocopherol. This pattern contained the largest number of participants, and could contribute to the extensive health disparities seen in this region.
authors.affiliation: Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Sameera A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Talegawkar
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Teresa C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Carithers
authors.forename: Herman A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Margaret L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bogle
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Tucker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000639:trends*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011634:Public Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D024505:Tocopherols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D002338:Carotenoids; D024505:Tocopherols