Determinants of plasma triglyceride levels in a multiethnic working class Caribbean population: effect of ethnicity, diet and obesity.

AIMS: Objective of the study is to identify the predictors of plasma triglycerides. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A stratified random sample of university staff categories underwent measurements of anthropometry, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose, insulin, lipids, CRP and homocysteine. Dietary intakes were assessed using duplicate 24h recalls. HOMA-IR was calculated. Stepwise, multivariate regression analysis was performed with TAG as the dependent variable. RESULTS: The sample (n=251) was 55% females with a mean age of 44.9±9.7 years. African ancestry comprised 43%, followed South Asian 30% and mixed ethnicity 27%. Prevalence of obesity was 19.4%, insulin resistance 22.7% and metabolic syndrome 21.6%. Males had significantly higher (p<0.01) triglycerides and VLDL and lower HDL than females. Africans had significantly lower triglycerides and cholesterol than South Asians and Mix. Triglycerides were significantly (p<0.01) correlated with glucose, cholesterol, insulin, CRP, systolic, diastolic blood pressure, WC, BMI, age and components of MS. Glucose, cholesterol, insulin and total energy intake predicted TAG, to varying extents, in all participants (R(2)=45.1%), males (R(2)=40.3%), females (R(2)=56.0%), Africans (R(2)=35.0%), TSA (R(2)=31.5%) and mix (R(2)=51.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Africans have lower triglycerides and cholesterol than South Asians and mix. Major predictors of triglycerides were fasting glucose and cholesterol independent of gender and ethnicity.

Dietary intake among adults in Trinidad and Tobago and development of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire to highlight nutritional needs for lifestyle interventions.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To create a food list and develop a draft quantitative food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) for Trinidad and Tobago. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A mixed sampling method was used to obtain a representative sample and trained interviewers administered 24-h dietary recalls. Portion sizes were assessed and the most frequently reported foods were tabulated. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Results are from 155 men and 169 women aged 21-64 years. The most frequently reported food items were: full-cream milk (64%), rice (61%), and sweetened fruit drinks (50%). Carbonated drinks were consumed by 28%. The most frequently consumed fruits were banana (23%) and citrus (22%); < 20% consumed a vegetable food item. The final QFFQ contains 146 items: 19 breads/cakes/cereals; seven rice/pastas/noodles; 12 dairy; 26 meats/poultry/fish/soy products; 15 fruits; 34 vegetables; six legumes; 11 other; 12 drinks; four alcoholic drinks. CONCLUSIONS: A list of commonly consumed foods in Trinidad and Tobago was obtained and a draft QFFQ was prepared.

Nutritional composition of commonly consumed composite dishes in Trinidad.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To calculate the nutritional composition of commonly consumed composite dishes in Trinidad in order to analyze dietary intakes obtained using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire developed specifically for the Trinidadian population. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Multiple weighed versions of each dish were collected from 53 participants throughout Trinidad. Nutritional composition was calculated using NutriBase Clinical Nutrition Manager. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: A total of 359 recipes were collected for 89 composite dishes: 19 vegetable, 15 starches, 21 meat/meat alternatives, eight seafood, 10 sweets, five beverages, 11 snacks/miscellaneous items. For each dish, the average nutritional composition (energy and 32 macronutrients/micronutrients) was calculated per 100 g. CONCLUSIONS: The calculated nutritional composition data of 89 commonly consumed dishes in Trinidad can now be used to assess dietary intakes and determine dietary risk factors for chronic disease.