PCD News Summary for July 20, 2017

About the Journal: Published every Thursday, Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD) is a peer-reviewed online journal established by CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The News Media Branch prepares press summary packets each week. To receive these press summaries on an embargoed basis, send an e-mail to media@cdc.gov. Please note that this e-mail list is for credentialed journalists only. All others, please visit Hookup to Health to sign up for e-mail updates.

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Role of Age and Acculturation in Diet Quality Among Mexican Americans — Findings From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2012

Melissa Newton
mnewton@cdc.gov
404-718-6281

Similar to the diet quality of the general population, new research indicates diet quality for Mexican Americans increased with increasing age, reflecting a change in health consciousness as people age. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2012), researchers found diet quality, measured by the Healthy Eating Index 2010, improved with age except for categories of dairy, sodium, and refined grains. More acculturation (that is, Mexican Americans who have adopted a more American lifestyle) was associated with lower scores in overall diet quality and in the categories of vegetables, fruits, sodium, and empty calories across almost all ages, but higher scores in grain categories, especially in younger groups. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables but low in fat and sodium should be promoted among more acculturated Mexican Americans, and whole-grain foods should be promoted among young but less acculturated Mexican Americans.

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Note: Not all articles published in PCD represent work done at CDC. In your stories, please clarify whether a study was conducted by CDC (“a CDC study”) or by another institution (“a study published by CDC”). The opinions expressed by authors contributing to PCD do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CDC or the institutions with which the authors are affiliated. PCD requests that, when possible, you include a live link to the article in your stories. 

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