Americans still consume one-third of calories from low-nutrient 'tip of th...( ce among the heaviest consumers of EDN...)

ce, among the heaviest consumers of EDNP's, calcium levels were 31% of those recommended for men but 13% for women; folate levels were 31% for men but 15% for women; and protein levels were 68% for men but 52% for women. The highest consumers of EDNP foods were more likely to be women, to be non-Hispanic whites rather than other ethnic groups, to be <65 years of age, to have 12 years of education, and to have higher income levels. However, indicators of overweight such as body mass index or waist circumference did not differ between heavier and lighter consumers of EDNP's.

Public health-related implications for this continuing high consumption of empty-calorie foods include the risk for marginal nutrient intakes for many Americans and the probability that EDNP foods, being highly palatable and aggressively advertised, are playing a role in the increasing adiposity of the American population. Risk reduction for disorders such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease is less likely when compliance with recommended dietary recommendations is low, as these results indicate. In particular, data from the study relating to increased serum homocysteine and decreased HDL-cholesterol concentrations point to an increase in coronary heart disease risk with increased EDNP food intake. The author asserts that the suggested "Food Pyramid" strategy by which consumers could make fat, carbohydrate and energy substitutions for EDNP foods in their diets may be far too complex for the average consumer to implement. He states, "New strategies are needed to educate consumers on how to moderate their intake of EDNP foods and how to include these foods in their diet sensibly."

'"/>

Contact: Beth Wettergreen
bmwettergreen@ucdavis.edu
530-754-7528
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
26-Sep-2000

Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Genetic mutation linked to more aggressive breast cancer found more often in African-Americans
2. Most Americans not sure about the sources of high cholesterol
3. Genetic testing of embryos to pick savior sibling OK with most Americans
4. Colorectal cancer rates in African Americans equal with insurance parity
5. Americans speak out on cancer
6. Whites, African-Americans better rate medical care experiences when seeing same-race physicians
7. Does a new hypothesis help explain higher levels of hypertension among African-Americans?
8. Experts to demonstrate latest, cost-cutting computer-based caregiving for older Americans
9. Americans knowledge of genetically modified foods remains low and opinions on safety still split
10. U-M researchers seek answers for African-Americans at risk for prostate cancer
11. African Americans concern about the environment equal to or greater that of whites