RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Poor Nutritional Habits: A Modifiable Predecessor of Chronic Illness? A North Carolina Family Medicine Research Network (NC-FM-RN) Study JF The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine JO J Am Board Fam Med FD American Board of Family Medicine SP 124 OP 134 DO 10.3122/jabfm.2007.02.060151 VO 20 IS 2 A1 Nicole D. Gaskins A1 Philip D. Sloane A1 C. Madeline Mitchell A1 Alice Ammerman A1 Scott B. Ickes A1 Christianna S. Williams YR 2007 UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/20/2/124.abstract AB Purpose: To examine associations between personal nutritional patterns and various indicators of health, disease risk, and chronic illness in a diverse, representative sample of adult patients from primary care settings.Methods: As part of a survey of adult patients conducted in the waiting rooms of 4 primary care practices in North Carolina (recruitment rate 74.8%), a 7-item nutrition screen was administered to 1788 study participants. Other questionnaire items addressed disease and functional status, race/ethnicity, health habits, and demographic factors.Results: Respondents included 292 African Americans (17.3%), 1004 non-Hispanic whites (59.4%), 255 Hispanics (15.1%), and 126 American Indians (7.4%); mean age 47.5 years. Thirty percent reported eating 3 or more fast food meals weekly, 29% drank 3 or more high-sugar beverages weekly, 22% ate 3 or more high-fat snacks weekly, 36% ate 3 or more desserts weekly, 11% reported eating “a lot” of margarine, butter, or meat fat; 62% ate 2 or fewer fruits or vegetables daily; and 42% reported consuming protein less than 3 times a week. Scores on a summary measure were worse for prediabetics than for diabetics, for young adults compared with older persons, and for persons reporting good/excellent health versus fair/poor health.Conclusions: People at high risk for developing chronic illnesses later in life reported poorer diets in comparison with people who are already ill. This probably represents increased nutritional awareness and motivation among people with chronic diseases. Because primary care patients have a high prevalence of chronic disease risk factors, the primary care office setting may constitute a particularly appropriate location for nutrition education.