title: Sugar consumption and preference among Mexican, Chinese, and Nigerian immigrants to Texas.
abstract: This pilot study investigated the relationship between sugar consumption/ preference and the length of residence in the U.S. among certain immigrant groups. The study sample consisted of 213 volunteers from community organizations and church groups, of Nigerian (45%), Mexican (31%), and Chinese (24%) descent. Data were collected on demographics, sugar consumption/preference (24-hour dietary recall), and oral health status. The age of respondents varied from 18 to 93 years with a mean age of 37.0 ± 11.7 years. The mean length of residence was 9.2 ± 7.2 years, and the mean sugar consumption was 122.4 ± 114.6 g/day. Immigrants from Mexico and Nigeria reported consuming more servings of sweets per day than the Chinese (p= .006); Mexican immigrants had the highest level of sugar preference (p= .001). No significant differences were observed between the length of residence and either sugar consumption or sugar preference. Greater availability of sugar and sweet snacks does not always result in increased sugar consumption or sugar preference.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Public Health and Dental Hygiene, Dental Branch, University of Texas Houston Health Sciences Center, Houston, Texas, USA. oalonge@bvcaa.org
authors.forename: Olusegun K
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Alonge
authors.forename: Sena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Narendran
authors.forename: Martin H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hobdell
authors.forename: Saroj
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bahl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004522:Educational Status; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status / Q000208:ethnology; D008800:Mexico / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000208:ethnology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012923:Social Class; D013781:Texas; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D019422:Dietary Sucrose