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Title: ASSESSMENT OF THE DIET QUALITY OF U.S. ADULTS IN THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI DELTA

Author
item McCabe Sellers, Beverly
item BOWMAN, SHANTHY - BHNRC
item STUFF, JANICE - CNRC BAYLOR COL OF MED
item CHAMPAGNE, CATHERINE - PENNINGTON BIOMED CTR
item SIMPSON, PIPPA - ACHRI-DAC
item Bogle, Margaret

Submitted to: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2007
Publication Date: 9/1/2007
Citation: McCabe Sellers, B.J., Bowman, S.A., Stuff, J.E., Champagne, C.M., Simpson, P.M., Bogle, M.L. 2007. Assessment of the diet quality of U.S. adults in the Lower Mississippi Delta. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 86(3):697-706.

Interpretive Summary: The Healthy Eating Index is a tool developed by USDA to assess the quality of the food intake of individuals and groups. This assessment tool was used to access the food intake of adults in the Lower Mississippi Delta and will allow monitoring of food intake of this group over time; the study allows researchers to decide what improvements are needed in this region and to develop nutrition interventions that lead to improvements in nutrition and in health. This study provides the basis for tailoring nutrition interventions most needed in the Delta.

Technical Abstract: Assessment of diet quality is important in policy making, monitoring service outcomes, and designing sustainable nutritional interventions for specific populations. The Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) is a high at-risk region for nutritionally related diseases, and this study assessed the overall quality of diets in this population. The purpose of this study was to apply the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) to assess diet quality in a regional population in order to:1) identify potential and needed interventions, 2) determine subgroups within the population needing special attention, and 3) compare regional intakes to national intakes. The study utilized representative cross-sectional telephone survey using USDA multiple-pass 24-hour recall methodology and random-digital assisted dialing with random selection of one adult and one child per household. Comparisons were made with the Continuing Survey of Individual Intakes 1994-96, 1998 (CSFII). The interviews of 1,699 adults demonstrated lower HEI scores for LMD adults than for their CSFII counterparts. Significantly fewer good (HEI>80) diets (6.6% vs 11.1%) and more poor (HEI < 51) diets (24.8% vs 19.8%) were found in the Delta than CSFII. LMD Caucasian had greater disparities in scores from CSFII counterparts than LMD African Americans, but diet quality was lower for Delta African Americans. Odds ratios for good/poor diets and for overweight status also reinforced the influence of socioeconomic and demographic factors. Nutrition interventions are indicated for low-income households in the Delta is certain food recommendations needing greater emphasis, especially vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and dairy. As many factors appear to contribute to poor diets, a multi-modal, longitudinal approach is likely needed to improve diet quality.