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Birth size has important implications for health and disease in adulthood. This study examined the association of birth size with central body fat distribution in late adolescence. Data were from a cross-sectional survey of adolescent girls (N = 143, 13-18y) of Asian, White and Mixed Asian-white ethnicity collected in 2005-2007 in Hawai'i, USA. Central body fat distribution was assessed with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and birth size from birth certificates and parent recall. Food diaries (3-day) were used to determine energy intake and metabolic equivalents of energy expenditure. The proportion of Asian ancestry was determined by questions and anthropometry was performed. T-tests compared groups, and multiple regression examined predictors of central body fat distribution, adjusting for potential confounders. Asian girls had a lower mean weight and gestational age at birth than White girls, and a lower mean dietary fat intake in adolescence. Girls of Asian and Mixed Asian-white ancestry had a more body fat distribution than White girls. Lower birth weight was associated with greater central body fat distribution (0.1 or 10% higher central body fat distribution for every 10 grams lower birth weight), after adjusting for age, ancestry, physical activity, energy intake, and bi-iliac breadth, and gestational age. Further adjusting for birth length attenuated the birth weight effect, and shorter birth length was the significant predictor of central body fat distribution. (0.1 or 10% higher central body fat distribution for every 0.01mm shorter length). If confirmed, these findings would suggest that linear growth may be more relevant to metabolic programming than growth in mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is published about dietary intake of children of ethnic populations found in Hawai'i, due to an absence of national statistics collected on Hawai'i's population. This information is needed to focus planning of food, agriculture and health programs aimed to prevent obesity and related chronic disease and to improve health. Dietary patterns of 156 Native Hawaiian (n=110), Filipino (n=28) and White (n=18) children and their caregivers were compared using socio-demographic, annual "food season," and 24 hour dietary recall data from a baseline survey of four lower income communities selected for an intervention program in rural Hawai'i. Ethnic differences were found in the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) dairy component, and in calcium and vitamin C nutrient intakes among caregivers only (adjusting for food season). Whites always had higher intakes of these foods and nutrients than Filipinos or Native Hawaiians. Vitamin C intake remained significantly different among ethnic groups after further adjusting for dairy food group intake. Dietary patterns showed low intake of fruits and vegetables, fiber and dairy foods among these understudied populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samoan women exhibit high rates of obesity, which can possibly be attenuated through diet and physical activity. Obesity, and body fatness in particular, is associated with increased risk for chronic diseases. Ancestry, physical activity, and dietary patterns have been associated with body composition. Using a cross-sectional design, the relative importance of proportion of Pacific Islander (PI) ancestry, level of physical activity, and macronutrients among healthy women in Honolulu, Hawai'i, ages 18 to 28 years was examined. All data were collected between January 2003 and December 2004. Percent body fat (%BF) was determined by whole body dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Nutrient data were derived from a three-day food record. Means and standard deviations were computed for all variables of interest. Bivariate correlation analysis was used to determine correlates of %BF. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine relative contribution of variables significantly associated with %BF. Proportion of PI ancestry was significantly positively associated with %BF (P=0.0001). Physical activity level was significantly negatively associated with %BF (P=0.0006). Intervention to increase physical activity level of young Samoan women may be effective to decrease body fat and improve health. CRC-NIH grant: 0216. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents details the Healthy Foods Hawai'i (HFH) intervention trial, aimed to improve children's dietary behavior to prevent child obesity, by modifying the food environment with community-selected foods. Four communities were selected by ethnic composition, income level, two on O'ahu and one neighbor island. On each island one community was randomly assigned to intervention and one to control. The intervention was implemented through food stores in the intervention communities. HFH was designed to strengthen the network between local food producers, food distributors, storeowners and consumers, to increase the availability of healthier less energy dense foods for children in underserved rural communities of Hawai'i. The intervention includes phases: healthier beverages, snacks, condiments, and family meals. Moderate to high fidelity was achieved for educational materials (shelf labels, posters and educational displays). The number of educational displays varied by intervention phase and community. Posters were found in place 100% of the time. Shelf labels were found intact in the correct location. Low to moderate fidelity was achieved for distributors, with some products not stocked. In the intervention communities, 6-8 week phases focused on target foods with 40 food demonstrations. A total of 1582 food related samples were distributed. A high to moderate dose and reach of the overall intervention was achieved in delivery of the cooking demonstrations. A high to moderate dose and reach of the intervention was achieved overall; fidelity to the intervention protocol was moderate. To improve healthy local food availability in stores in rural communities in Hawai'i, agricultural producers reported needing additional support to sell and transport product to local stores, rather than to centralized distributors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]