A saturated fat/cholesterol avoidance scale: sex and ethnic differences in a biethnic population.

Avoidance of saturated fat and cholesterol by 1,210 Mexican Americans and 866 non-Hispanic whites was assessed as part of a population-based survey of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors. Participants ranged in age from 25 to 64 years and resided in three socioeconomically distinct neighborhoods of San Antonio, TX: low income, middle income, and upper income. A scale was constructed to assess the degree to which individuals avoided six dietary sources of saturated fat and cholesterol. Women of both ethnic groups were found to avoid saturated fat and cholesterol to a greater degree than men, scoring higher on five of the six components of the scale. Saturated fat/cholesterol avoidance increased significantly with increased socioeconomic status in both ethnic groups. Although there were no ethnic differences in overall saturated fat/cholesterol avoidance, more non-Hispanic whites recognized milk, eggs, and visible fat on meat as food sources to avoid. The scale described in this paper provides useful information about the specific food components recognized as dietary sources of saturated fat and cholesterol and helps identify those population groups that would benefit from nutrition education programs. Because of its simplicity and ease of administration, the scale may be a useful tool in epidemiological research.