Dietary Omega-3 Intakes in Southern African American and Southern Caucasian Women

Abstract

Given the greater incidence and severity of obesity in Southern African American (SAAW) than Southern Caucasian women (SCW), it is important to determine factors contributing to this metabolic, racial disparity. Traditional Southern foods contribute to dietary patterns high in fat. Since omega-3 fatty acids modulate the positive health aspects of dietary fat, the purpose of this study was to investigate cultural food selections providing omega-3 fatty acids in SAAW versus SCW. It was hypothesized that SAAW consume less than the recommendations for omega-3 fatty acids, and less than SCW, due to lower quality food intake. Using a validated Omega-3 Southern Food Frequency Questionnaire, SAAW and SCW dietary intakes were recorded and analyzed. Obese SCW and lean SAAW consumed below the ALA recommended amounts (1.04±0.57, 0.95±0.64 g/day, respectively), while the obese SAAW consumed greater than the recommended 1.1 grams of ALA per day (1.25±1.02 g/day). The lack of lower omega-3 intake in obese SAAW as compared to SCW indicates that a low omega-3 intake is not associated with the greater incidence of obesity in obese SAAW.