The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63420

Olga Sorokin, MPH¹, Arlene Michaels Miller, PhD, RN², Peggy Chandler, PhD¹, and Tatiana Drossos¹. (1) College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 S. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612, 312 996-9717, osorok1@uic.edu, (2) Public Health, Mental Health & Admin. Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 South Damen, Room 1016, Chicago, IL 60077

Eating patterns of new immigrants combine features of original and new countries, resulting in unique nutritional profiles. Examining changes in diet is important for studying acculturation and health behavior. However, collecting nutritional data for smaller cultural groups is particularly challenging due to limited information about food sources, composition and preparation in established databases. The purpose of this presentation is to examine nutritional profiles of women from the former Soviet Union (FSU) and discuss methodological issues related to nutritional assessment of new immigrants. Data will be reported for 177 women, aged 40-70, who have resided in the U.S. fewer than 8 years. These are baseline data from an ongoing longitudinal study of post-immigration health and health behavior. For each participant, three 24-hour dietary recalls (2 weekdays and 1 weekend) were completed by telephone in Russian by trained bilingual research assistants. Data were analyzed using Nutritional Data System (NDS) software. Comparable data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS) were used as referents. Energy intake was lower than for American women of the same age, and similar to average Russian intake. Percent calories consumed as fat (31.4%) was also similar to Russian intake. However, protein intake (16.5% of daily calories) was proportionately higher than that for Russians. Relatively less energy was consumed as carbohydrates, which was more similar to U.S. norms. Neither energy nor macronutrient intake was associated with duration of residence or age. Methodological issues and implications for health promotion interventions will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Describe differences in dietary intake among Americans, Russians, and immigrants from the former Soviet Union.
• Discuss methodological issues of nutritional assessment and implications for health promotion interventions with new immigrants.

Keywords: Nutrition, Immigrant Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.