Demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with self-reported diet and physical lifestyle patterns in United States women: an NHANES study.

Abstract

Background: To determine the demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with self-reported diet and physical activity among women in the U.S.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of the Third U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988-1994). Chi-squared analyses were used to compare differences in diet and physical activity (PA) among participants.

Results: Of 3,196 female participants, 87.1% of participants were White, 9.4% were Black, and 3.5% Mexican American. 39.4% measured as not obese and 27.4% obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²). Overall, 8.4% reported a poor diet and 19.5% were inactive. Participants reporting both poor diet and low PA were likely to be younger (28.0% vs. 12.0% p < 0.001), Black (36.0%, p < 0.001), less than 12 years education (26.5%, p < 0.001), lower income (23.6%, p < 0.002). In the obese group, 27% of women reported being physically inactive with few reporting poor diet (9.7%). Among participants with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², 44.3% of Black women reported poor diet and low physical activity, compared to 24.1% of Mexican American and 22.1% of White participants (p = 0.005).

Conclusion: Participants who were younger than 55, non-Hispanic Black, had less than 12 years of education, low income, obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), and current smokers were more likely to report poor diet and low PA. Of obese participants, Mexican American and White women were less likely to report both poorer nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle compared to Black women.