title: Stable isotopes (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur), diet, and anthropometry in urban Colombian women: investigating socioeconomic differences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted stable isotope and dietary analyses of women from higher and lower socioeconomic status (SES) groups in Cali, Colombia. The objectives were to test between-group differences in stable isotope, dietary, and anthropometric characteristics, and to evaluate relationships between diet and stable isotope values.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hair samples from 38 women (mean age 33.4) from higher and lower SES groups were analyzed for δ(13) C, δ(15) N, and δ(34) S values. Dietary intake was assessed via 24-h recalls. Anthropometric variables measured were body mass index, five body circumferences, and six skinfold thicknesses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean δ(13) C and δ(15) N values of the higher SES group (-16.4 and 10.3‰) were significantly greater than those of the lower SES group (-17.2 and 9.6‰; P < 0.01), but mean δ(34) S values did not differ significantly between groups (higher SES: 4.6‰; lower SES: 5.1‰). The higher SES group consumed a greater percentage of protein than the lower SES group (14% vs. 12% of energy; P = 0.03), but the groups did not differ in other dietary characteristics or in anthropometric characteristics. δ(13) C, δ(15) N, and δ(34) S values were not correlated with intake of the dietary items predicted (sugars, animal-source protein, and marine foods, respectively). The lower SES group was more variable in all three stable isotope values (P < 0.05), mirroring a trend toward greater dietary variability in this group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stable isotope values revealed a difference between SES groups that was not explained by the dietary data. The relationship between diet and stable isotope composition is complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado.
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Bender
authors.forename: Darna L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Dufour
authors.forename: Luciano O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Valenzuela
authors.forename: Thure E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Cerling
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sponheimer
authors.forename: Julio C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Reina
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ehleringer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D003105:Colombia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013460:Sulfur Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D013460:Sulfur Isotopes