Dietary and clastogenic factors in children who immigrated to Israel from regions contaminated by the Chernobyl accident

The authors evaluated the possible association between dietary history and plasma clastogenic factors in children who immigrated to Israel between 198 9 and 1993 from regions contaminated by the Chernobyl accident. The authors compared questionnaire data about demographic variables, dietary histories before and after immigration occurred, and health status with clastogenic factor scores for 162 immigrants. Logistic regression analysis revealed a n egative association between clastogenic factor scores and frequency of cons umption of fresh vegetables and fruit among children less than or equal to7 yr of age during the postimmigration period. Intake of eggs and fish by bo ys who were less than or equal to7 yr of age prior to immigration was assoc iated positively with clastogenic factor scores. Consumption of fresh veget ables and fruits afforded protection to the immune systems of children who were less than or equal to7 yr of age.