Identification of Food Sources Contributing to Dietary Quality in the Lower Mississippi Delta Region: A Systematic Approach to Designing Dietary Modifications for Obesity Prevention

Abstract

The Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) region suffers from high rates of obesity and chronic diseases.Our objective was to design culturally appropriate dietary modifications for the prevention of obesity in the LMD population based upon the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and observed eating patterns.Using data from the Foods of our Delta 2000 study, we evaluated adult dietary quality using the 2005 Healthy Eating Index (HEI‐2005), determined leading food sources contributing to HEI‐2005 components relevant to obesity, and investigated demographic differences in food source intakes. This information was used to construct specific dietary modifications to improve adherence to the DGA within the LMD population.Total HEI‐2005 score for the LMD excluding sodium score was lower than the 1999–2000 NHANES population (47.4 versus 51.7, p=0.0006) with lower scores for whole fruit, total vegetables, dark green/orange vegetables and legumes, and milk. Younger age was the largest determinant of poor dietary quality in the LMD with total score and 8 component scores decreasing with decreasing age; 20 of 35 food sources also differed by age. Targeted dietary modifications to address observed DGA inadequacies were constructed based upon commonly consumed foods.A systematic approach based upon observed intake is useful in the construction of culturally appropriate dietary modifications for a given population.