Diet and acculturation in Chinese women

More nutrient-dense diets, greater nutrition knowledge, and, to a lesser extent, improved attitudes about nutrition indicate acculturation of US-born, CA women.

Abstract

Information about acculturation of the increasing Asian-American population is limited. Three groups of women between 18 and 35 years of age were recruited to assess nutrition-related acculturation in Chinese-American (CA) women. Biophysical measurements, dietary intake, nutrition knowledge about cardiovascular risk factors, and eating attitudes were estimated in the test group of 18 US-born CA and in two control groups of 20 foreign-born Chinese (FBC) and 18 white Americans (WA). No group differences existed for either percentages of body fat and lean body mass or for kilocalories from energy sources. Fat intake, close to the national average of 34% of kilocalories, may reflect the affluence of all groups. This finding refutes the commonly held notion that Chinese consume low-fat diets. Of the three groups, CA women consumed the most nutrient-dense diets. The FBC scored significantly lower than the other groups on the nutrition knowledge test, missing questions about blood pressure, heart rate, and ingredient labels. Nutrition knowledge about fat was low and not different among the groups. Sixty-seven percent of WA, 50% of CA, and 20% of FBC responded that nutrition influenced their food choices. More nutrient-dense diets, greater nutrition knowledge, and, to a lesser extent, improved attitudes about nutrition indicate acculturation of US-born, CA women.