MACRONUTRIENT INTAKES AMONG ADULT HISPANICS - A COMPARISON OF MEXICAN-AMERICANS, CUBAN-AMERICANS, AND MAINLAND PUERTO-RICANS

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to compare energy and macron utrient intakes between adult Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, main land Puerto Ricans, and non-Hispanics. Methods. Age-specific mean inta kes were estimated based on 24-hour recalls from the Hispanic Health a nd Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES) (1982 to 1984) and the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II) (1976 to 1980) and were compared with the use oft tests. Results. Mexican Amer icans had higher total fat, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat int akes than did Puerto Ricans and older Cuban Americans. Cuban Americans and Puerto Ricans had similar intakes, except for younger Cuban Ameri cans. who had higher total and saturated fat and lower carbohydrate in takes. Cholesterol intakes among Mexican American men and 60- to 74-ye ar-old women were higher than those among other Hispanic groups. Carbo hydrate and protein intakes were higher among Hispanic groups compared with those among non-Hispanics while total fat intakes were generally lower. Conclusions. Since macronutrient intakes differ between Hispan ic groups, dietary research, recommendations, and interventions should be targeted to each group individually. Older Puerto Rican and Cuban American adults met population guidelines for reducing chronic disease risk for more macronutrients than any other group.