The objective of this study was to describe the food and nutrient intakes of adults in three Samoan church communities located in Auckland, New Zealand.
The study had a cross-sectional design and measured usual dietary intake in 437 participants, aged 20 years and over, using a self-completed, 89-item quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Median daily energy and nutrient intakes were calculated and compared by gender and age groups.
Men obtained a significantly (p<0.05) lower proportion of their energy from breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables and fats and oils than women. Compared to those aged 40+ years, those aged <40 obtained a significantly (p<0.01) lower proportion of their energy from meat, pulses and eggs, fruit and vegetables, and starchy staples. A significantly (p<0.01) higher proportion of their energy intake came from takeaways, soft drinks, snacks and dairy products. Nutrient analysis revealed that those aged <40 years obtained significantly (p<.001) more energy from fat and sugar, and less energy from protein (p<0.001) than the older group. They also had significantly lower intakes, per 1000 kilocalories, of a wide selection of vitamins and minerals.
A dietary transition has occurred for New Zealand Samoans, reflecting a shift from traditional to modern dietary patterns and a decline in the nutritional quality of the diet.
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