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Food choices, health behavior, and risk factors for hypertension and diabetes among Lower Mississippi Delta Residents
Author(s) -
McGee Bernestine B.,
Simpson P. M.,
Gossett J. M.,
Johnson G. S.,
Thornton A.,
Richardson V.,
Johnson C.,
Bogle M. L.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a1051-b
Subject(s) - medicine , environmental health , diabetes mellitus , psychological intervention , saturated fat , healthy eating , food habits , gerontology , food choice , affect (linguistics) , demography , physical activity , physical therapy , psychology , endocrinology , communication , pathology , psychiatry , cholesterol , sociology
Lifestyle choices, such as diet, engaging in physical activity, and using tobacco or alcohol affect health and are affected by health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between food choices, behavior, diet and hypertension and diabetes. In a representative sample of 1487 Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) adults, the relationship was assessed between socio‐demographic factors, diet and health behavior, and risk factors for hypertension and diabetes. Methods: Twenty‐four hour dietary recall data were collected by computer assisted telephone interviews and diet quality was measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Results: In general, a higher proportion of persons having diabetes or hypertension ( P<0.05) made better food choices, were more likely to select low fat cheese, salad dressing and low fat ice cream. Adults with hypertension had a better Healthy Eating Index score for saturated fat and fruit. However, in general better food choices were not consistently reflected in better healthy eating indices or sub indices. A higher proportion of those with hypertension exercised at least once a week. Thus, it seems that among LMD adults, poorer health improves some health behavior but eating habits may still require modification. Interventions are needed to encourage consistent healthy eating practices reduce risk of health problems. (Supported by USDA ARS project 6251‐53000‐004‐00D).