Nutrient intake of Korean-American, Korean, and American adolescents

This study compared dietary intakes of Korean, Korean-American, and American adolescents. Data were collected by 24-hour recall method from 471 Korean and 134 Korean-American adolescents. Data for American adolescents were obtained from NHANES III. Korean Americans had the lowest energy and cholesterol intakes but a higher percentage of energy from fat compared with Koreans. Korean and Korean Americans had lower intakes of calcium, iron, and zinc but higher sodium intake than Americans. Intakes of energy, folate, calcium, and iron in all three groups were below the recommended intakes for American adolescents. Korean Americans consumed cooked rice and Kimchi less often, but cookies, sweets, and soda were consumed more frequently than Koreans. These results indicate that Korean-American adolescents’ dietary profiles are midway between those typical in Korea vs the United States. Nutrition education must focus on the benefits and weaknesses of Korean and western diets and how to blend the two cultures for optimal nutrition.