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Title: Does Food Group Consumption Vary by Differences in Socioeconomic, Demographic, and Lifestyle Factors in Young Adults? The Bogalusa Heart Study

Author
item DESHMUKH-TASKAR, PRIYA - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MED
item Nicklas, Theresa
item YANG, SU-JAU - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MED
item BERENSON, GERALD - TULANE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Journal Of The American Dietetic Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/13/2005
Publication Date: 1/1/2007
Citation: Deshmukh-Taskar, P., Nicklas, T.A., Yang, S-J., Berenson, G.S. 2007. Does food group consumption vary by differences in socioeconomic, demographic, and lifestyle factors in young adults? The Bogalusa Heart Study. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 107(2):223-234.

Interpretive Summary: We questioned if food group consumption varied by socioeconomic, demographic, and lifestyle factors in young adults from a semi-rural setting in Louisiana. Over 1,200 young adults completed a food frequency questionnaire to acquire food consumption patterns; socioeconomic (e.g., income and education), demographic (e.g., age, sex, and ethnicity), and lifestyle (e.g., marital status and physical activity) information was obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. Our findings suggest that food group consumption varied by socioeconomic, demographic, and lifestyle factors in young adults from a semi-rural setting. Food and nutrition professionals who encounter diverse populations need to consider the influence of income, education, sex, ethnicity, marital status, and physical activity on food consumption patterns when planning diets, nutrition education programs, and interventions for young adults.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study is to examine if food group consumption varies by differences in socioeconomic, demographic, and lifestyle factors in young adults from a semirural setting in Louisiana. The design is cross-sectional. The subjects are young adults (n = 1,266, 74% European-American, 26% African-American; 39% men, 61% women) aged 20 to 38 years, enrolled in the Bogalusa Heart Study. Food group consumption was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. Socioeconomic (e.g., income and education), demographic (e.g., age, sex, and ethnicity), and lifestyle (e.g., marital status and physical activity) information was obtained by a self-administered questionnaire and the subjects were stratified according to these groups. Analysis of covariance (adjusted for covariates) was used to detect differences in the mean servings of food groups consumed per day between the various socioeconomic, demographic, and lifestyle groups. Compared to income less than or equal to $15,000, those with an income greater than $45,000 had lower consumption of burgers/sandwiches (p < 0.05) and those with income levels from $30,001 - $45,000 had lower consumption of mixed dishes (p < 0.05). Intake of cereals/ breads (p < 0.05), dairy products, fruits/100% fruit juices and vegetables was higher in subjects with greater than 12 years of education. European-American men consumed more servings of dairy products (p < 0.05) and sweetened beverages (p < 0.05) than African-American men. European-American women consumed more servings of dairy products (p < 0.01), vegetables (p < 0.05), and fats than African-American women. African-Americans (men and women) consumed more servings of fruits/100% fruit juices than European-Americans (men and women), respectively. Married individuals consumed more servings of snacks/desserts, but fewer servings of alcoholic beverages than those who were unmarried. Active individuals consumed more servings of fruits/100% fruit juices and fewer servings of burgers/sandwiches than inactive individuals. These findings suggest that food group consumption varies by socioeconomic, demographic, and lifestyle factors in young adults from a semirural setting. Food and nutrition professionals who encounter diverse populations need to consider the influence of income, education, sex, ethnicity, marital status, and physical activity on food consumption patterns when planning diets, nutrition education programs, and interventions for young adults.