Logo image
Back
Birthplace and nutrient intake across ethnic subgroups: a cross-sectional analysis of the NHANES
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Birthplace and nutrient intake across ethnic subgroups: a cross-sectional analysis of the NHANES

Emma V Sanchez-Vaznaugh, Mika Matsuzaki, Maria Elena Acosta, Nancy Barba and Brisa N Sánchez
The American journal of clinical nutrition, v 123(4), 101181
Mar 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.101181
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.101181View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Immigration Nutrition or Dietetics
Background Prior research found birthplace differences in dietary intake among Hispanic and Black populations. Research is needed to compare food and nutrient intake between immigrants and natives of United States using a wider range of ethnic subpopulations. Objectives This study aims to investigate the association between birthplace and nutrient intake among 4 ethnic population subgroups. Methods Cross-sectional data from adult respondents in the NHANES waves 2007–2008 through 2017–2018, linked with the Food Pattern Equivalents Database and linear regression models estimated birthplace differences [immigrants compared with United States-born (reference)] in the consumption of added sugars, total and saturated fat, sodium, whole grains, and fiber. Models were stratified by ethnicity: Hispanic, non-Hispanic (NH)-Asian, NH-Black, and NH-White. Results The analyses included 6185 Hispanic; 12,067 NH-White; 5932 NH-Black and 2051 NH-Asian adults. Within each ethnic group, strong evidence showed immigrants exhibited lower intake of added sugars (coefficients ranged from –2.97 to –7.51 depending on the ethnic group, all P < 0.05), total fats (range: –7.18 to –21.21), and saturated fats (range: –2.53 to –6.91) than their United States-born coethnics after controlling for covariates. Hispanic (4.0), NH-Asian (2.21), NH-Black (3.61), and NH-White (2.56) immigrants reported higher fiber intake (P < 0.05), whereas only NH-Black (0.57) and NH-White immigrants (0.21) showed higher whole grain consumption than their United States-born coethnics, after covariate adjustments. Hispanic (–142.1) and NH-Black immigrants (–76.9) reported lower sodium intake compared with their United States-born coethnics (P < 0.05). Conclusions Across the 4 ethnic populations, immigrants generally exhibited better intake of the nutrient examined relative to United States-born coethnics, suggesting a protective immigrant effect. Research to understand reasons for these differences is warranted. Furthermore, future nutrition interventions may require tailored approaches to help maintain healthy nutrient profiles among immigrants, while reducing intake of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars and increasing fiber and whole grain intake among all populations.

Metrics

1 Record Views

Details

Logo image