Informing cancer prevention strategies for African Americans: the relationship of African American acculturation to fruit, vegetable, and fat intake

J Behav Med. 2005 Jun;28(3):239-47. doi: 10.1007/s10865-005-4660-3.

Abstract

Acculturation has been associated with health-related behaviors in African Americans. We sought to determine if there is a relationship between acculturation and dietary intake in African Americans. African Americans in the PREMIER trial completed the African American Acculturation Scale (AAAS) and 2 nonconsecutive 24-h dietary recalls (n = 238). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and canonical correlation were used to assess relationships between acculturation and dietary intakes. Canonical correlation (p = 0.05) showed that traditional African Americans had lower intakes of fruits/vegetables and milk/dairy with higher intakes of fats, meat, and nuts. This pattern was supported by differences in the ANOVA. African American acculturation is related to dietary intake. These findings have implications for the design of cancer-related public health messages targeted to African Americans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Black or African American*
  • Dietary Fats
  • Feeding Behavior / ethnology*
  • Female
  • Fruit
  • Health Promotion*
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Vegetables

Substances

  • Dietary Fats