Food Choices, Body Mass Index, C‐reactive Protein and Blood Lipids in Foreign‐born Afro Caribbeans and their United States‐born Counterparts in South Florida

Objective Dietary, body mass index (BMI), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL‐C) in 66 Foreign‐born Afro Caribbean (FBAC) living in the US for less than 10 years, 62 US‐born Afro Caribbean American (USBACA) and 61 African American (AA) adults (18–40 years) were studied. Method A diet score was devised based on 7 recommended dietary behaviors (percent energy from fat, saturated fat, dietary cholesterol, fiber, sodium, fruit and vegetable servings). Individuals who exceeded the dietary recommendations for percent energy from fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium/consumed below for dietary fiber, fruit and vegetable servings were assigned a score of 0 and a score of 1 if they met the dietary requirements. This score was summed across the selected food items to give a total diet score (range 0–7). For this study, the diet scores 0 – 2 were categorized as ‘poor diet quality’, 3 – 5 as ‘moderate’ and ≥ 6 and greater as ‘good’. Results The mean diet score for FBCA participants (3.5 ± 1.6) was significantly (p< 0.01) higher than the USBACA (2.7 ± 1.7) and AA (2.6 ± 1.5). More USBACA and AA participants compared to FBAC (26.2% and 23.7% vs. 10.8%) had poor diet score (≤2). More USBACA and AA compared to FBAC (23.0% and 17.7% vs. 7.6%) were obese (BMI ≥ 30.0), whereas more AA compared to USBACA and FBAC (26.7% vs. 8.8% and 10.5%) had elevated hs‐CRP (> 3.0 mg/L). More USBAC than FBAC and AA (19.4% vs. 13.6% and 13.1%, respectively) had elevated TC/HDL‐C ratio (≥5.0). All groups had positive relationship between BMI, hs‐CRP and TC/HDL‐C. Conclusion Dietary, BMI, hs‐CRP and TC/HDL‐C differences exist between ethnic subgroups of the same race. Ethnic and cultural differences in health indicators among ethnic groups can aid to develop strategies to improve health outcomes.