Comparison and evaluation of dietary quality between older and younger Mexican-American women

Abstract

Objective: To compare and evaluate the dietary quality of young and older sedentary Mexican-American women. Understanding key dietary concerns, while considering developmental transition periods and cultural relevance, can provide insight for developing appropriate nutrition interventions. Design: Cross-sectional dietary data were collected using unannounced 24 h diet recalls to assess nutrient intake adequacy (Estimated Average Requirement cut-point method) and dietary quality (Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2010). Setting: Mujeres en Acción and Madres para la Salud, two community-based physical activity interventions. Subjects: Participants were 139 young (28 (SD 6) years) and 124 older (55 (SD 7) years) overweight/obese sedentary Mexican-American women (BMI = 25·0-35·0 kg/m 2 ) of low socio-economic status. Results: Older women consumed less Ca, Fe, folate, empty calories and energy from carbohydrate, but more fruit, vegetables, greens and beans, and fibre than younger women (all P < 0·05). Over 60 % of all participants had an intake below recommendations for fibre, Ca, vitamin E, vitamin C and folate. Both groups had low total HEI-2010 scores (62 for older and 63 for younger women; NS), with 57 % of older and 48 % of younger women classified as having a poor diet. Conclusions: Despite differences in nutrient requirements according to developmental transition periods (childbearing v. perimenopausal), overall, older and younger Mexican-American women generally had low-quality diets and may benefit from dietary quality improvement.

Egg Intake and Dietary Quality among Overweight and Obese Mexican-American Postpartum Women

“…In fact, a recent report [ 50 ] suggested that protein needs for pregnancy may be even higher than current dietary reference intake recommendations of 1.1 g/kg of body weight/day [ 46 ]. In the current study, both absolute protein intake and the HEI-2010 score for total protein foods were greater for egg consumers than non-consumers, although as previously reported the total protein HEI-2010 score was indicative of appropriate consumption of protein-containing foods for all participants [ 38 ]. Intake of animal protein was also greater for egg consumers than for non-consumers, although non-significantly different (data not shown).…”

“…In the current study, a greater proportion of participants (59% or n = 82) reported consuming eggs than what has been reported for U.S. adults (19%) or Mexican-American adults (32%) using NHANES III data [ 30 ]. A majority of study participants (78%) were immigrants of Mexican origin who had been in the U.S. for 12 ± 7 years [ 34 , 38 , 39 ]. Several reports indicate that multiple factors that are part of the immigration experience, such as acculturation, generational status, and time in the U.S., are associated with lifestyle modifications often associated with less healthful dietary patterns in part due to immigrants’ lack of familiarity with available foods in their new environment [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].…”

“…Several reports indicate that multiple factors that are part of the immigration experience, such as acculturation, generational status, and time in the U.S., are associated with lifestyle modifications often associated with less healthful dietary patterns in part due to immigrants’ lack of familiarity with available foods in their new environment [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]. However, eggs are a low-cost common protein source in the Mexican diet, as evidenced by the high per capita consumption of eggs in Mexico compared to other countries [ 28 ], which may have made eggs a nutritious and familiar dietary choice among the generally low-socioeconomic status study participants [ 34 , 38 , 39 ]. Nevertheless, the possibility cannot be ruled out that the methodology used in the current study (three 24-h recalls) may have better allowed to capture individual instances of egg intake than using only one 24-h recall for NHANES.…”

“…Prior reports from the current study have documented that participants included a large proportion of women living under disadvantaged socio-economic conditions in neighborhoods with limited food access [ 34 , 38 , 39 ]. In general, Hispanic households have been documented to have greater food insecurity rates than the general population [ 58 ].…”

Lifestyle Behaviors Affecting Bone Health in Young Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Women

“…14 A recent study assessing diet quality of Hispanic women using the Healthy Eating Index 2010 suggests that Hispanic women consume adequate total protein, which is a consistent trend among the US population, and better intake of seafood and plant protein than the general population, though common types of protein were not assessed. 23 The same study found that sodium intake for Hispanic women exceeded recommended sodium intake. Thus, although the limited research suggests that Hispanic women consume adequate protein, other dietary practice, such as inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake and excessive sodium intake, may increase their risk of low bone mineral density and osteoporosis.…”