Comparing Dietary Intake and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Vancouver's South Asian Community.

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Cardiovascular Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Vegetarian diets are generally associated with better health outcomes compared to omnivorous diets.
• South Asians in Canada have high rates of vegetarianism but also disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes.
• This study investigated dietary intake and CVD risk factors in South Asian vegetarians and omnivores at risk for diabetes in British Columbia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the dietary intake of South Asian vegetarians and omnivores.
• To assess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in these groups.
• To explore the association between diet type and obesity indicators like body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC).

Main Methods:

• A culturally adapted 163-item SHARE Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake in 96 South Asian adults at high risk for diabetes.
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors including body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured.
• Dietary intake metrics (energy, macronutrients, micronutrients) were compared between vegetarian and omnivore groups.

Main Results:

• Vegetarians consumed more carbohydrates and higher glycemic index/load foods; omnivores had higher intake of niacin, vitamin B-12, potassium, and zinc.
• Both groups exceeded recommended sodium intake, and 90.6% of participants were overweight or obese.
• No significant association was found between vegetarianism and reduced adiposity (obesity).

Conclusions:

• Both vegetarian and omnivorous diets in this South Asian Canadian population were linked to high rates of overweight/obesity and potentially elevated cardiometabolic risk.
• Suboptimal dietary quality and dietary acculturation may contribute to these findings.
• Culturally tailored nutritional interventions are crucial for this community.