Ethnicity consumption

United States Imports of Spices and Oleoresins. The consumption of spices has continued to increase in the United States into 1993 (7). The demand for ethnic foods, and the trend toward less salt, glycerides, and fat, has stimulated more spice and condiment use. The United States consumes approximately 25% of the spices produced in the world. In 1993, imports accounted for about 65% of U.S. seasoning needs compared to 80% in the early 1980s. In 1991 approximately 50% by value of U.S. imported spices entered New York, the principal port of entry around 1983 more than 75% was imported through this port. The volume of spices and oleoresins (spice extracts) into the United States has been increasing steadily, but the value of imports has varied because of specific shortages and large price variations (Table 1). 

Chnical and epidemiological observations suggest that inhalant use in humans occurs along a continuum, with considerable variability in usage patterns among individuals as a function of age, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, avahabihty and type of inhalant, and other clinical variables. As a general rule, it is expected that as inhalant consumption and frequency of intoxication increase, the incidence and severity of medical and psychosocial problems wiU increase. 

An inverse correlation between thyroid cancer risk and phytoestrogens was recently proposed as a result of a multi-ethnic population-based case control study conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area (Hom-Ross et al., 2002). In this study, dietary habits and phytoestrogen consumption were assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire and by a nutrient database. The outcome of the study was that soy-based foods and alfalfa sprouts were associated with a reduction of thyroid cancer risk, whereas a Western diet did not influence cancer risk. No difference was observed between American and Asian women or between pre- and postmenopausal women. Furthermore, among the few compounds examined, the isoflavones genistein and daidzein and the lignan secoisolariciresinol were the phytoestrogens most frequently associated with risk reduction (Horn-Ross et al., 2002). 

Figure 1.2 The percentage of Americans who are obese has risen significantly in recent years and is at an all-time high, as demonstrated in this map from the year 2000. The rise in obesity is seen in males and females of all ages, including children. This increase in obesity has also been seen in all racial and ethnic groups. The increase in obesity is attributed to decreased exercise and manual labor, along with consumption of larger portions of high-calorie, high-fat foods.

The FDA and EPA recognize that the diets of infants and children may differ substantially from those of adults and that they consume more food for their size than adults. As a result, they may be exposed to proportionately more residues. The FDA and EPA address these differences by combining survey information on food consumption by nursing infants, non-nursing infants, and children with data on residues to estimate their dietary exposure. The FDA and EPA also use this process to estimate exposure for other age groups, as well as several different ethnic groups and regional populations. 

The situation in Fiji is complicated, as it is elsewhere, by the prevalence of other types of marine intoxications, e.g. scrombrotoxicity and those associated with the consumption of the internal organs of bottom species and crustaceans. The ethnic composition of the population in the various island groups also influences the morbidity statistics. Fijian Indians purchase less fish than Melanesians (11). While by and large the islands commercial fishermen are Fijian Indians, the rural/urban distribution of the population, and food preferences suggest that Melanesian Fijians consume more fresh fish than their Indian counterparts. Incidence may be influenced by relative ethnic composition and food preferences in a given area. 

The official estimate in 1998 also includes a breakdown by race (table 9.8) Note that Hispanic is a special ethnic designation, and can be of any race. America is becoming less white, as most racial minorities are experiencing population increases faster than the whites. There is also the rise of the multi-racial population in America, which will be included in future population classifications as a separate category. All these characteristics and changes in the population are important, as marketers need to study the consumption preferences of each segment of the population. 

The US food consumption database encompasses the entire country. Different consumption patterns may be distinguished for different population groups, defined according to gender, age, region of the country, ethnicity, and so on. There is not, however, a single food consumption survey that encompasses all of the national cuisines within the EU. It does seem, however, that if detailed recipe translation schemes could be developed, it should be possible to consider EU-wide consumption patterns on the basis of raw agricultural commodities. 

Shea, S. et al., Age, sex, educational attainment, and race/ethnicity in relation to consumption of specific foods contributing to the atherogenic potential of diet, Prev. Med., 22, 203, 1993. 

Social and environmental factors, such as urban versus rural residence, gender, age, and racial/ethnic background, are associated with alcohol-consumption rates. The same is true for the prevalence of heavy drinking. 

Expression of the enzyme diminishes with age and by adulthood lactase levels are 10% or less of those seen in infancy. If symptoms of flatulence, abdominal discomfort, bloating, or diarrhea occur after consumption of one or two glasses of milk or of a large portion of ice cream or yogurt, lactose intolerance should be suspected. Suspicion would be increased in a subject from an ethnic group with a high incidence of lactose intolerance (see Table 48-5). 

Demographic information collected included gender, age, and ethnicity. Data was also collected on frequency of hot tea consumption in the past month, the type of hot tea usually dnmk (black, greert, herbal, decaffeinated, or more than one kind) and the type of condiments that were used (milk/dairy, sweetener, lemort, or nothing). Panelists also checked a box to indicate whether or not they had participated in the previotts tea study. 

There is a trend in the changing American taste — from the basic meat, potato, and vegetables — toward exotic international cuisines ( 18 ). The changing population mix in the U.S. has contributed to this shift in no small way. A recent survey of ethnic food consumption showed that over 80% of those polled have eaten Italian, Chinese, and Mexican food more than once. The affluence of American consumers and their increased exposure to these international foods is providing the food processor with the incentives to satisfy the growing appetite for ethnic dishes. The end is not in sight. 

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