Dietary adequacy among rural Yup'ik women in western Alaska.

OBJECTIVES: To assess (1) energy and nutrient intake; (2) dietary adequacy; (3) traditional and nontraditional foods consumed; and (4) main foods contributing to energy and selected nutrient intake among Yup'ik women in Western Alaska. METHODS: Up to 3 24-hour dietary recalls were collected to assess the dietary intake. Dietary adequacy was determined by comparing women's daily nutrient intakes to corresponding dietary reference intakes (DRIs). RESULTS: Mean daily energy intake for the women was 2172 kcal, exceeding the DRI for energy. The majority of women (90-100%) fell below the recommendations for dietary fiber, calcium, and vitamins D and E. More than 50% of women fell below the recommendations for vitamin A, and more than one third were below the DRI for zinc and vitamins C and B6. Juices/pop (including Tang, Kool-Aid, soda/pop, fruit juice, and energy drink), coffee, and traditional fish were the most frequently reported food items. Sweetened beverages and pop were the main contributors to energy, carbohydrate, and sugar intake. Traditional foods provided 34% of protein, 27% of iron, 23% of vitamin A, and 21% of zinc. CONCLUSIONS: Among Yup'ik women, juices/pop were the most frequently consumed foods contributing to the high energy intake. However, traditional food still contributes substantially to certain nutrients. These data contribute to an understanding of dietary adequacy in this population and will aid in the development of a nutritional intervention program.

Development of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire for use among the Yup'ik people of Western Alaska.

Alaska Native populations are experiencing a nutrition transition and a resulting decrease in diet quality. The present study aimed to develop a quantitative food frequency questionnaire to assess the diet of the Yup'ik people of Western Alaska. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using 24-hour recalls and the information collected served as a basis for developing a quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A total of 177 males and females, aged 13-88, in six western Alaska communities, completed up to three 24-hour recalls as part of the Alaska Native Dietary and Subsistence Food Assessment Project. The frequency of the foods reported in the 24-hour recalls was tabulated and used to create a draft quantitative food frequency questionnaire, which was pilot tested and finalized with input from community members. Store-bought foods high in fat and sugar were reported more frequently than traditional foods. Seven of the top 26 foods most frequently reported were traditional foods. A 150-item quantitative food frequency questionnaire was developed that included 14 breads and crackers; 3 cereals; 11 dairy products; 69 meats, poultry and fish; 13 fruit; 22 vegetables; 9 desserts and snacks; and 9 beverages. The quantitative food frequency questionnaire contains 39 traditional food items. This quantitative food frequency questionnaire can be used to assess the unique diet of the Alaska Native people of Western Alaska. This tool will allow for monitoring of dietary changes over time as well as the identification of foods and nutrients that could be promoted in a nutrition intervention program intended to reduce chronic disease.