Young women with or without a family history of cardiovascular disease have similar dietary intakes and anthropometric measurements

Abstract

The purpose of our project was to compare the dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements, and perceptions of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk of young women at risk of developing CVD because of an early family history (EFH) of the disease with women who did not have an early family history (NEFH) of CVD. Data collected from a random sample of 101 healthy women 20 to 29 years of age included family history of CVD, three-day dietary intakes, height, weight triceps, suprailiac, and thigh skinfold measurements, waist and hip circumferences, percent body fat, and perception of risk of developing CVD. The EFH (N=63) and NEFH (N=38) groups were compared using MANOVA and chi-square. Women in the two groups ate similar amounts of fat and were similar in percent body fat. Mean fat and saturated fatty acid consumption were 34% and 13% of energy intake, respectively. Three-fourths of the women consumed >30% of energy from fat. Mean percent body fat was 26% of body weight. Two-thirds of the EFH women underestimated their risk of developing CVD. We conclude that there is a need for nutrition education programs aimed at reducing CVD risk in young women and these programs need to be directed at reducing womens' fat consumption and their present body fat.