Nutritional factors and cardiovascular disease risk in Black African and Black Caribbean women: a cross-sectional study

People of Black African (BA) and Caribbean (BC) heritage form the third largest ethnic group in England and Wales(1). Evidence shows they experience higher rates of overweight/obesity, stroke and type 2 diabetes compared to the general population but lower risk of heart disease, which may be explained by the favourable lipid profile they exhibit (2, 3). There are limited UK studies on their dietary habits and health. The aim of the current study was to assess nutritional intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in UK BA and BC women.

A convenience sample of self-ascribed BA and BC women, aged 19-64 years, were recruited (n = 44) from the ATTITUdinal DEterminants of diet and lifestyle (ATTITUDE) study. Cholesterol was measured using a portable CardioChek Blood Analyser, blood pressure using a digital blood pressure monitor and dietary intake via triple pass 24hr recall. Ethical approval was obtained from London Metropolitan University, King's College London and Westminster University. Percentage energy, total fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, and fibre and salt intake were calculated and under-reporting was assessed using the Goldberg equation(5). A sensitivity analysis conducted on nutrient intakes with under-reporters removed.

Nutritional intake and CVD risk factors are shown in Table 1. Sixty three percent of participants were overweight or obese. Analysis of the dietary data revealed higher intakes salt, free sugars, fat and saturated fat than recommendations and lower intake of carbohydrate(4). Sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of under-reporting (n = 22). Reported data remained unchanged except for fibre intake, which was lower in the under-reporters (14.9g compared to 21.0g) (P = 0.004). Blood lipid profiles and blood pressure data were within recommendations.