DIET DIVERSITY IN MEXICAN-AMERICANS, CUBAN AMERICANS AND PUERTO-RICANS

The focus is on dietary diversity among United States (US) Hispanics, with attention given to differences by socioeconomic status (SES) and level of acculturation. The subjects of study were 18 to 74 years of a ge Mexican Americans (n = 3201), Cuban Americans (n = 831), and Puerto Ricans (n = 1224) included in the 1982-84 Hispanic Health and Nutriti on Examination Survey (HHANES). Dietary diversity was assessed as 'foo d group' and 'portion' scores derived from single 24 hour recalls. Les s than 10% of Hispanic men and 5% of women satisfy diversity recommend ations (17 or more portions out of a possible 20) and patterns are as found in the general US population. Multivariate analysis suggest that among Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans diversity is related to edu cation and level of acculturation. Income is not related to diversity in any group. Generation of residency in the US is associated with les s variety among Mexican Americans and Puerto Rican men. Socioeconomic status and acculturation are not significantly related to diversity am ong Cuban Americans. In conclusion, the diets of US Hispanics lack var iety and this places these populations at long-term health risk. While interventions need to consider the educational level and cultural dif ferences among Hispanics, income levels ard unrelated to diversity in all groups, and therefore, not an apparent limitation to change.