PLACE OF BIRTH AND DIETARY-INTAKE IN ONTARIO I - ENERGY, FAT, CHOLESTEROL, CARBOHYDRATE, FIBER, AND ALCOHOL

Background. The importance of dietary intake in the prevention of majo r health problems is acknowledged. Because of the impact of culture on food intake, this study investigated the relationship between place o f birth and nutrient intake in Ontario, using data from the 1990 Ontar io Health Survey. Methods. Adults (age greater than or equal to 18) we re categorized as nonimmigrants (born in Canada; n = 29,458) or immigr ants (born outside of Canada, classified by countries of birth; n = 7, 158). Energy, fat, cholesterol, carbohydrate, and fiber intakes were e xamined, as well as alcohol consumption during the previous week. A co mpanion article describes results for protein and selected micronutrie nts. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses investigated the association of place of birth with nutrient intakes, adjusting for so ciodemographic factors and ethnicity. Results. Fat and carbohydrate in takes were strongly associated with place of birth, but cholesterol an d fiber intakes were not. Immigrants, overall, were less likely than n onimmigrants to consume more fat (OR = 0.45, P < 0.0001), less carbohy drate (OR = 0.55, P < 0.0001), or more alcohol (OR = 0.64, P = 0.0004) than recommended. However, variations existed by country of birth. Co nclusions. Immigrants were generally more likely to meet recommendatio ns for fat and carbohydrate intakes than were nonimmigrants. These hea lthy eating behaviors need to be reinforced as part of health promotio n. (C) 1998 Academic Press.