Ethnicity and nutrition of adolescent girls in Hawaii

Objective To describe the ethnicity and nutrition of adolescent girls in Hawaii. Design This was a cross-sectional survey. Subjects Girls, aged 9 to 14 years, were identified from the membership files of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, a large Hawaii health maintenance organization. Main outcome measures Nutrient and food group intakes were compared against recommended intakes, physical activity levels, and anthropometric measurements of height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and subscapular and iliac skinfold thicknesses. Statistical analysis performed Asian girls, girls of mixed ethnicity, and white girls were compared using analysis of variance. Results Although Asian girls weighed the least and were the most sedentary, white girls had the lowest BMIs. Mixed ethnicity girls had the highest weights, BMIs, and subscapular and iliac skinfold thicknesses. No significant differences were found in major macronutrient intake. However, mixed ethnicity and Asian girls had lower fiber, iron, folate, and calcium intake than white girls. All groups met recommendations for iron intake, whereas none met fiber and calcium recommendations. All girls met folate recommendations. No differences were found in intakes for tofu, soy, grains, vegetables, or fruit and nuts food groups. Mixed ethnicity girls had the highest sweetened carbonated beverage intake although overall sugar intake was highest in white girls. Asian and mixed ethnicity girls' meat intakes were higher than white girls'. Intakes of mixed ethnicity girls more closely resembled those of Asians, although they exhibited the highest BMIs. Conclusions These data suggest grain, vegetable, fruit, and dairy intake should be encouraged as part of a balanced diet for adolescent girls in Hawaii.