Food intake in a multicultural southwestern population I. General patterns

In order to obtain information about food intake and liking in a Southwestern population, a questionnaire was administered to 176 Anglo, Hispanic, Navajo and Jemez Indian elementary school children. Frequencies of intake of certain foods, particularly foods indigenous to the Southwest, were different from those of the Nationwide Food Consumption Survey, implying that all Americans do not eat from a “common table.” The results suggest that regional and cultural factors should be considered in making dietary recommendations and in planning nutrition education curricula.

Key words:

• food frequency
• dietary patterns
• liking
• children
• Native Americans
• Hispanics
• rural