Racial/ethnic differences in dietary intake among a diverse sample of adolescents: An experimental study. Issue 12 (13th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zurita, Tomas; Kazmierski, Kelly F. M.; Wong, Larissa; Faulkner, Megan; Kuo, Sabrina; Huszti, Heather; Rao, Uma
• Is Part Of: Pediatric obesity. Volume 16:Issue 12(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-06-13
• Subjects: childhood obesity -- eating behaviour -- ethnic minorities -- stress; Obesity in children -- Periodicals; Obesity in adolescence -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Periodicals; Overweight children -- Periodicals; 618.92398
• DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12823
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-7174

Abstract

Summary: Background: African‐American (AA) and Hispanic/Latina (HL) females have higher obesity prevalence than do non‐Hispanic Whites (NHW); this may be due to AA and HL consuming more energy‐dense foods in response to stressors. Objectives: This study examined racial/ethnic differences in dietary intake under controlled conditions (relaxation and stress) in a diverse sample of adolescent females. Methods: Participants included 120 adolescent females (30% AA, 37% HL and 33% NHW) who participated in a laboratory food intake study. Using a randomized cross‐over design, ad libitum food consumption was measured following control/relaxation and social‐evaluative stress conditions. Food intake was indexed as consumed calories, added sugars and solid fats. Results: The effect of laboratory conditions on food intake varied by race/ethnicity, such that AA consumed more energy following relaxation than following stress. For NHW and HL, food intake did not differ between conditions. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, these findings are the first to directly observe racial/ethnic differences in food intake in response to acute stress, which may contribute to obesity‐related health disparities.