Dietary Intake of Antioxidants including Vitamins C, E, and Lycopene among Normal Weight and Obese Native American Adolescents

Abstract

Antioxidants are well‐known for possessing anti‐inflammatory properties which can reduce the risk of chronic disease and obesity. However, very little research has been done to examine antioxidant intake among adolescent minority populations such as Native American adolescents. Our study examined the significance of antioxidant intake among Native American adolescents at an urban residential high school in Southern California. Our study population consisted of 183 male and female Native American adolescents, 14‐18 years of age, representing 43 tribes from across the United States. Students' primary source of food was the school food service. Based on BMI measurements, we calculated the rate of obesity within our population to be 38% for males and 40% for females, more than two‐fold the national rate indicated by NHANESIII data. We used the Harvard School of Public Health Youth/Adolescent Questionnaire (HSPH YAQ), a semi‐quantitative usual food intake questionnaire, to examine antioxidant intake and to evaluate the differences in antioxidant intake between normal weight and obese weight students. The statistical analysis of the results showed that intakes of vitamins C, E, and lycopene were significantly higher in normal weight than in obese weight students (p‐values = 0.02451, 0.00847, and 0.04928, respectively). These results suggest that dietary intake of antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and lycopene should be increased among Native American adolescents. Further research is needed to confirm our findings and to identify the most effective ways for food service companies to incorporate foods rich in vitamins C, E, and lycopene into school cafeteria menus.