Macronutrient intakes among adult Hispanics: a comparison of Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, and mainland Puerto Ricans.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare energy and macronutrient intakes between adult Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, mainland Puerto Ricans, and non-Hispanics. METHODS: Age-specific mean intakes were estimated based on 24-hour recalls from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES) (1982 to 1984) and the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II) (1976 to 1980) and were compared with the use of t tests. RESULTS: Mexican Americans had higher total fat, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat intakes than did Puerto Ricans and older Cuban Americans. Cuban Americans and Puerto Ricans had similar intakes, except for younger Cuban Americans, who had higher total and saturated fat and lower carbohydrate intakes. Cholesterol intakes among Mexican American men and 60- to 74-year-old women were higher than those among other Hispanic groups. Carbohydrate and protein intakes were higher among Hispanic groups compared with those among non-Hispanics while total fat intakes were generally lower. CONCLUSIONS: Since macronutrient intakes differ between Hispanic groups, dietary research, recommendations, and interventions should be targeted to each group individually. Older Puerto Rican and Cuban American adults met population guidelines for reducing chronic disease risk for more macronutrients than any other group.

Calcium intakes of Mexican Americans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, non-Hispanic whites, and non-Hispanic blacks in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To compare dietary calcium intakes from food in Mexican Americans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, non-Hispanic whites, and non-Hispanic blacks aged 11 through 74 years. DESIGN: Population survey data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to calculate calcium intake from a single 24-hour recall. These data were compared by age and sex between the five population groups. Food sources of calcium in the three Hispanic groups were also examined using 24-hour recall data. SUBJECTS: The sample consisted of 11,773 non-Hispanic whites, 1,728 non-Hispanic blacks, 4,739 Mexican Americans, 1,076 Cubans, and 1,835 Puerto Ricans. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean calcium intake, percentage intake of Recommended Dietary Allowance, and, for Hispanics, food sources of calcium. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Means were compared within age and sex groups between the five population groups using a t test. RESULTS: Calcium intakes from food in the three Hispanic groups were similar to intakes of non-Hispanic whites and higher than intakes of non-Hispanic blacks. Although dairy foods were the main sources of calcium for Hispanics, corn tortillas were important calcium sources among Mexican Americans. Women consumed less calcium than the Recommended Dietary Allowance in all age and racial or ethnic groups. APPLICATIONS: When assessing calcium intakes of the three Hispanic groups, ethnic differences in food sources of calcium need to be considered. Efforts to increase calcium intake in Hispanics also need to account for ethnic differences.

Iron status: prevalence of impairment in three Hispanic groups in the United States.

Little is known about the iron status of Hispanic groups in the United States. Data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to estimate the prevalence of impaired Fe status for persons aged 5-74 y from three Hispanic groups: Mexican Americans (MAs), Cubans, and Puerto Ricans; prevalences were also calculated for non-Hispanic whites (NHWs) and non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs) using data from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination survey. A three-variable model called the MCV model was used to assess impaired Fe status. Prevalences based on the MCV model did not differ between Hispanic groups. Differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanics occurred only among 20-44-y-old females, where MAs had a higher prevalence than NHWs or NHBs. With this exception, these Hispanic groups do not appear to be at greater risk of impaired Fe status than non-Hispanics.