Dietary intake, food processing, and cooking methods among Amish and non-Amish adults living in Ohio Appalachia: relevance to nutritional risk factors for cancer.
This study's purpose was to examine the source, storage, preparation, and intake of food among Amish and non-Amish adults to understand dietary practices as a potential contributing factor to lower cancer incidence rates. Interviews were conducted with a random sample of 134 Amish and 154 non-Amish adults including questions about dietary practices and a 24-h dietary recall. Amish compared to non-Amish adults reported (1) less refrigeration in homes (85% vs. 100%, P < .01); (2) rarely/never obtaining food from restaurants and grocery stores (P < .01); (3) consuming less alcohol (P < .01); (4) consuming fewer daily servings of vegetables (males: 1.2 vs. 1.9 servings/day, P < .01; females: 1.0 vs. 2.1 servings/day, P < .01); and (5) a greater percentage of energy from saturated fat (males: 16.7% vs. 12.6%, P < .01; females: 16.3% vs. 12.0%, P < .01). Amish males reported greater amount of energy intake (2780 kcal vs. 2298 kcal, P = .03) compared to non-Amish males. Amish and non-Amish dietary patterns show some differences that may impact cancer although neither group achieves current diet and cancer prevention guidelines. Lifestyle factors, screening, and healthcare access may be contributing to the lower cancer incidence rates among the Amish and these results suggest areas of intervention to reduce the cancer burden.
College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Gebra B
GB
Cuyun Carter
Mira L
ML
Katz
Amy K
AK
Ferketich
Steven K
SK
Clinton
Elizabeth M
EM
Grainger
Electra D
ED
Paskett
Clara D
CD
Bloomfield
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D061365:Amish; D003296:Cooking / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005520:Food Preservatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005520:Food Preservatives