A more diversified diet among Mexican men may also be more atherogenic.

The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional quality of Mexican men's diet and its relation to socio-economic status (SES) and BMI. A random sample of 325 Mexican men, aged 35-65 y and stratified by SES and urban or rural residence, took part in the study. Two nonconsecutive 24-h dietary recalls were conducted in person. Dietary diversity was based on the consumption of 24 food groups. The micronutrient adequacy score that was used as a cut off was 75% of the U.S. RDA (Institute of Medicine) for 13 vitamins and minerals. A prevention score assessed subjects' adherence to 8 WHO dietary recommendations for the prevention of chronic diseases. Dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy increased with SES status of urban subjects; these indices were also significantly higher among urban poor than among rural poor. In contrast, the prevention score tended to be higher among the poorer urban and rural respondents. Dietary diversity was significantly higher but the preventive score was significantly lower in obese subjects than in normal BMI subjects. There was a positive correlation between diet diversity and micronutrient adequacy (r = 0.34, P < 0.01), whereas dietary diversity and the prevention score were inversely correlated (r = -0.21, P < 0.01). The inverse association of dietary diversity and the prevention score was stronger in rural than in urban subjects. Dietary diversity was positively and significantly correlated with fruit and vegetable intake (r = 0.295, P < 0.001). It was, however, also positively correlated with the percent of energy from total and saturated fat, and cholesterol intake. Therefore, in some settings, higher food diversity may not predict a healthier diet from the standpoint of the prevention of chronic diseases.