Differences In Diet Quality Among Food-Allergic Black And White Children

Disparities in food allergy (FA) are emerging. Yet, racial differences in dietary quality among children with FA are unclear. Black and White children (0-12 years old) with a diagnosed FA were enrolled into a prospective, multi-site, cohort study. Demographic data collected merged with dietary assessment data gleaned from the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Dietary Assessment Survey. Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores were calculated using one 24-hour diet recall. Univariable statistics described demographics and mean HEI scores ranging from 0 to 100 (100=superior diet quality). Two-sided independent t-tests were used to compare mean HEI scores across groups. Multivariable linear regression evaluated significant predictors of mean HEI scores. Cross-product terms of income by race were evaluated. Among 157 children with a baseline diet data, the majority were white (77.1%) male (62.8%), and 5-12 years of age (60.5%). HEI scores ranged from 21.8 to 82.2; the mean was 53.4 (SD: 12.6). There were significant racial differences with respect to mean HEI scores (Mwhite: 55.1, SD: 12.6; Mblack: 47.7, SD: 12.9, p=0.002). Adjusting for current child age, gender, multiple FAs, and annual household income, this effect was not significant (Beta: 3.5; p=0.4). We did not find a significant interaction between race and income. Mean HEI scores in this food-allergic, multiracial sample were comparable to that reported in the general US pediatric population. Although a trend in lower diet quality among Black compared to White children was identified, ongoing diet assessment may elucidate nutritional differences in this cohort.