Historical assessment of nutrition studies using only African-American study subjects: Gender, socioeconomic status, and geographic location

While the African-American community has disproportionate rates of morbidity and mortality from chronic diet-related diseases, few studies have examined demographically the spectrum of these outcomes in the population. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which published scientific literature has examined African-American samples with sufficient specificity to identify nutrition problems in subsets of the population. Age, gender, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and sample size are used to examine study questions. In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Continuing Survey of Food Intakes for Individuals (CSFII) 1994-1996 is used to illustrate how evaluating nutrient variables by demographic indicators provides insights into the heterogeneity of nutrient intake patterns among African Americans. Relative to the adequacy of scientific investigation into these issues, a review of twenty-nine studies conducted from 1970 to the present demonstrates bias in gender, income, and sample size for African-Americans-only dietary research samples. Relative to identifying dietary patterns that do not meet US dietary guidelines, pervasive patterns that persist across income groups were found, indicating the need for nutrition education programs at all levels. Although there are science based diet information available, it does not seem to have reached the African-American community in numbers sufficient to be reflected in dietary changes as reported by surveys. This research demonstrates the need for detailed studies highlighting these issues, as well as the production of culturally appropriate nutrition education materials and methods that will be effective in reaching this population. (Ethn Dis. 2001;11:134-143).