Dietary cancer and cardiovascular risk factors of low-income, female homemakers in the EFNEP program

Abstract

Dietary risk factors for cancer and cardiovascular disease were examined among female homemakers in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in Virginia, using frequency distributions and percentages. The objective of the study was to describe the dietary intake of EFNEP homemakers as to the prevalence of certain dietary risk factors for cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Dietary risk factors assessed, which are associated both with cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, were daily intakes of the following: total fat in excess of 30% of calories, saturated fat in excess of 10% of calories, cholesterol in excess of 300 milligrams (mg), dietary fiber less than 20 grams (gm), and calcium less than 600 mg (75% RDA). Other factors which were assessed as risk factors for CVD were sodium intake in excess of 2400 mg, potassium intake less than 1600 mg, and mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats less than 10% of calories for each. Other dietary cancer risk factors assessed were deficient intakes (<75% of RDA) of vitamins A, C, and E.