African American and White Differences in Nutritional Status Among Low-Income Women Attending Public Health Clinics

Information concerning nutritional status and factors influencing dietary intakes among underserved populations is scarce. To obtain this information, data on nutritional status in a group of 726 white and African American women of low education and low income who were inner-city dwellers were analyzed. Dietary habits in all subjects were characterized by high intakes of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt and low intakes of fiber and folate. A comparison of dietary intake patterns of low-income white and African American women showed a trend toward poorer dietary habits among the white women. It is suggested that differences between African Americans and whites in most nutrient intakes were due to factors such as low levels of education and income rather than racial background alone. Results imply that disease prevention and health promotion programs should include efforts to increase awareness and practice of healthy diet habits among all low-income women.