Dietary Intake Patterns and Acculturation Levels of Hispanic Immigrant Men: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Dietary intake and acculturation were investigated in a nonrandom, cross-sectional study of 106 Hispanic men of Mexican or Central American heritage (1990-1991). The purpose was to profile dietary intake patterns, identify post-migration dietary changes, and determine the contribution of traditional Hispanic foods to the diet. Mean intake levels for all nutrients were at or above 100% of the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowances. Relative to consumption patterns prior to migration, participants reported higher current intakes of prepared foods high in fat and high in sugar; sugared drinks, and poultry and wheat; they reported lower current intakes of lard, margarine, cheese, fish, pork, and poultry skin. Traditional foods contributed almost half of participants'energy intake. Few significant correlations were found between acculturation and nutrient intake.