INTAKE OF NUTRIENTS AND FOOD SOURCES OF NUTRIENTS AMONG THE NAVAJO - FINDINGS FROM THE NAVAJO HEALTH AND NUTRITION SURVEY

Diet has been implicated in the etiology of chronic diseases in many p opulations, including the Navajo and other American Indian tribes. Thi s report describes the current nutrient intake of the Navajo and ident ifies the primary food sources of key nutrients. In the Navajo Health and Nutrition Survey, interviewers obtained single 24-h diet recalls f rom 946 nonpregnant participants age 12-91 between October 1991 and De cember 1992. Among various sex and age groups, total fat contributed 3 3-35% of energy and saturated fat contributed 10-11% of energy in the diets. Median fiber intake was 11-14 g/d. Median intakes of vitamin A: vitamin E, vitamin B-6, folate, calcium and magnesium were below sex- and age-specific recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for men and wome n of all age groups. Intake of vitamin C was below the RDA for men and women age 20 and older. Median iron intake was below the RDA for wome n under age 60. Fruits and vegetables were each consumed less than onc e per day per person, as were dairy products. Fry bread and Navajo tor tillas, home-fried potatoes, mutton, bacon and sausage, soft drinks, c offee and tea provided 41% of the energy and 15-46% of the macronutrie nts consumed. Recommendations to increase the intake of essential micr onutrients in the Navajo diet are presented.