PLACE OF BIRTH AND DIETARY-INTAKE IN ONTARIO II - PROTEIN AND SELECTED MICRONUTRIENTS

Background. Because of the importance of dietary intake on health, thi s study investigated the relationship between place of birth and nutri ent intake in Ontario, using cross-sectional data from the 1990 Ontari o Health Survey. Methods. Adults (age greater than or equal to 18) wer e categorized as nonimmigrants (born in Canada; n = 29,458) or immigra nts (born outside of Canada, classified by countries of birth; n = 7,1 58). Protein, calcium, iron, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, and niaci n intakes were studied (a companion article describes energy and other nutrient intakes). Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses i nvestigated the association of place of birth with nutrient intakes, a djusting for sociodemographic factors and ethnicity. Results. The prop ortions of subjects at an increased risk of ''inadequate'' nutrient in takes were relatively low. However, immigrants (particularly from Asia n countries) were at a higher risk of inadequate intakes of protein (O R = 1.51, P = 0.001), calcium (OR = 1.41, P < 0.0001), and iron (OR = 1.44, P = 0.002) compared with nonimmigrants. Immigrants from various Asian countries were more likely to report inadequate thiamin, ribofla vin, and niacin intakes. Conclusion. Some immigrant groups in Ontario display higher risks of inadequate protein and micronutrient intakes c ompared with nonimmigrants. More research on the nutritional status of these subgroups is needed to develop culturally sensitive health and nutrition promotion programs. (C) 1998 Academic Press.