Abstract
The Asian Indian population is the fastest growing group of Asian immigrants in the USA, however, there is no documentation of their food choices and dietary intakes, especially for the women. The objective of this study was to compare dietary profiles of Caucasian women (CIA) and Asian Indian women in the USA (AIA) with that of Asian Indian women in India (AII). Dietary assessments were carried out using a modified Block Health Habits and History Questionnaire and 4-day food diaries, as well as selected biochemical indices. The total caloric intake was highest in the AII followed by the CIA and lowest in the AIA who bordered on being deficient. Fat intake of Asian Indian women was consistently lower than that of Caucasian women and so was the consumption of sugar, fiber and alcohol. The women of the AIA group are moving up to the levels of Caucasian women in the USA in fat intake which is supported by their higher serum triglycerides compared to the AII. On the other hand, their serum cholesterol remained lower than their counterpart in India. Dietary intakes and serum concentrations of antioxidant vitamins were lower in the Asian Indian women than in the Caucasian women with the exception of ascorbic acid. The increasing fat and low antioxidants in the AIA are predisposing factors to many chronic diseases and should be monitored as these are likely to become threatening as the acculturation of this group of women attains maturation.
