Dietary behaviors and portion sizes of black women who enrolled in SisterTalk and variation by demographic characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the dietary behaviors of black women who enrolled in the SisterTalk weight control study.


METHODS
Baseline data collected via telephone survey and in-person screening.


METHODS
Boston, Massachusetts and surrounding areas.


METHODS
461 black women completed the baseline assessments.


METHODS
Measured height and weight; self-reported demographics, risk factors, and dietary variables including fat-related eating behaviors, food portion size, and fruit, vegetable, and beverage intake.


METHODS
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) models with food habits questionnaire (FHQ) scores as the dependent variable and demographic categories as the independent variables; ANOVA models with individual FHQ item scores as the dependent variable and ethnic identification as the independent variable.


RESULTS
More than 60% reported eating < 5 servings of fruits and vegetables/day. Self-reported portion sizes were large for most food items. Older age, being born outside the United States, living without children, and being retired were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of fat-lowering behaviors. The frequency of specific fat-lowering behaviors and portion size also differed by ethnic identification.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings support the need for culturally appropriate interventions to improve the dietary intake of black Americans. Further studies should examine the dietary habits, food preparation methods, and portion sizes of diverse groups of black women.
Gans
Kim M
KM
Institute for Community Health Promotion, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. Kim_Gans@Brown.edu
Risica
Patricia Markham
PM
Kirtania
Usree
U
Jennings
Alishia
A
Strolla
Leslie O
LO
Steiner-Asiedu
Matilda
M
Hardy
Norma
N
Lasater
Thomas M
TM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001900:Boston; D003710:Demography; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television; D014675:Vegetables; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
D004041:Dietary Fats