Nutritional intakes and some health-relevant behaviours in ultra-orthodox (Hassidic) Jewish sects in Montreal

Religion, social support, fat intake and physical activity

OBJECTIVE

Most research on diet and exercise has focused on these health behaviours as proximate causes of disease, rather than examine the context of how diet and exercise are developed and maintained. This study examined religion and social support in relationship to fat intake and physical activity.

DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS

Data from surveys of 546 adults aged 17-91 years, residing in one upstate New York county, were analysed.

RESULTS

Most relationships between the multiple facets of religion, fat intake and physical activity were not statistically significant. After controlling for demographics and social support, Conservative Protestant women and women specifying an "Other" religious affiliation reported higher fat intakes than did Catholic women. There were no relationships between religion and fat intake in men. In women, religious commitment was associated with greater moderate and vigorous physical activity, whereas in men, divine social support was associated with greater moderate physical activity. Social support did not substantially change the magnitude of the relationships between religion, diet and physical activity.

CONCLUSION

Overall, there were few relationships between religion, fat intake and physical activity, suggesting that in contemporary US society religion may play a small role in the context of how diet and exercise are developed and maintained. The limited range of religiosity in the sample, however, may have underestimated the role of religion. Significant relationships between religion and physical activity in women suggest that further research is needed to more clearly delineate religion's relationship with health behaviours.

Influences on diet, health behaviours and their outcome in select ethnocultural and religious groups

Diverse cultural components of behavior may have significant impacts on patterns of eating, drinking, and social interaction, irrespective of socioeconomic status. For example, the major world religions prescribe or proscribe specific dietary behaviors; some of these are rooted in historical or geographical origins as well as group folklore; and they have integral roles as expressions of religious piety and group cohesiveness. The literature is replete with ecological observations of between-country differences in disease trends, some of which have been associated with dietary practices. The study of distinct cultural and religious groups (especially migrants acculturating to new environments) and the extent to which they adhere to culturally-based dietary precepts, has advanced our knowledge of psychosocial influences on food habits, nutritional adequacy, and overall health. However, a relatively small proportion of culturally-based research studies conducted to date have explored cross-cultural, ethnic, or religious variables. This paper reviews some population-based differences in dietary habits and other behaviors by ethnocultural group or religious denomination; health consequences and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Nutrient patterns, nutritional adequacy, and comparisons with nutrition recommendations among French-Canadian adults in Montreal

OBJECTIVES

A survey was carried out in 1988-89 among French Canadians in Montreal, to provide data on food habits, dietary intakes and sociodemographic factors.

METHODS

Interviewer-administered questionnaires and 7-day food records (7D-FR) were used to gather data.

RESULTS

Some 1,450 individuals (in 845 families) were studied. Complete 7D-FR and sociodemographic data were obtained from 182 children aged 5-18 (44.8% males), and 614 adults aged 19 and over (40.1% males). Most adult respondents greatly surpassed their age-sex specific Canadian Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs), except for low mean energy intakes in women aged 75 years and over (on average, 1477 kcal), and marginally lower than recommended mean calcium consumption, again in the oldest age group (particularly men). Protein furnished 16 to 17% of energy, relative fat intake varied from 34% of energy among the oldest subjects to 38% in 25 to 49 year old women (overall average, 36%). Only 15.3% of respondents consumed < or = 30% relative fat intake; most (66%) were female. Carbohydrate ranged from 45 to 49% (51%) among males and females, respectively. The oldest age group had the highest relative intake of carbohydrates. Saturated fat was 13 to 14% of energy, and the mean P:S ratio was low (.30 to .37). Some respondents had insufficient intakes relative to their RNIs, notably for energy (6.5% of the whole sample; of these, 52.5% were male) and calcium (22.5%; 69.6% females). Contingency table analysis showed this was most evident among participants of low income and education levels, smokers, and female non-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

French Canadian Montreal adults don't meet the Nutrition Recommendations for Canadians with respect to lowering fat and saturated fat, and increasing complex carbohydrate intakes. Attention should be directed to ensuring adequate consumption of calcium-rich foods, particularly among women in susceptible stages of the lifecycle. Although average alcohol intakes appeared low, some individuals reported high levels of consumption of beer, wine or spirits which suggests the need for further investigation of population alcohol intakes and their effect on dietary choices and nutritional adequacy.

Food habits of French Canadians in Montreal, Quebec

OBJECTIVES

Since the 1960's, marked sociocultural and economic changes have affected lifestyle, religious practices, and family structure among French Canadians in Quebec. Recent nutritional assessment was unavailable, despite indications of change.

METHODS

A survey was carried out in 1988 in a representative sample living in Greater Montreal, to obtain current data on food habits, nutrient intakes and sociodemographic factors, using interviewer-administered questionnaires and seven-day food records.

RESULTS

Some 845 families (1450 individuals from different age groups) were studied in two phases: summer/fall and winter/spring. Mean household size in the study population was 2.7. Among adults, extremes of educational level were observed, with 33% having elementary school only and 28% having completed university. On average, each household spent $CAN 89.90 a week for food, $26.00 for tobacco, and $13.50 for alcohol. Breakfast was eaten regularly by 90% of subjects while 96% ate lunch and 99% ate dinner. Morning snacks were consumed by 36% and afternoon snacks were taken by 50%. Milk was consumed with breakfast by 24% of respondents, with lunch by 19%, and with dinner by 24%. On weekdays, 81% of subjects ate their main meals at home, while on weekends this figure was 95%. Time spent for meals varied by meal, and was slightly longer on weekends. Specialty diets, including vegetarianism, were followed by 7% of the study subjects, while 22% adhered to health-related diets.

CONCLUSIONS

The food record analyses revealed adequate nutrient intakes overall in relation to the 1990 Canadian Recommended Nutrient Intakes, although further investigation is needed before addressing dietary quality in specific age-sex groups. Protein comprised 16% of energy, fat 38%, and carbohydrates composed 45% or 46% for males and females, respectively. Subsequent analyses will evaluate nutrient intakes in relation to health and sociodemographic indicators in this population.