These researchers concluded that
In 1965, there were large differences among groups in dietary quality, with whites of high socioeconomic status eating the least healthful diet... and blacks of low socioeconomic status [eating] the most healthful. By [1989-1991], the diets of all groups had improved and were relatively similar.Now, inquiring minds will want to know, how did they come to this conclusion?
A group of 32,406 subjects was "followed" from 1965 through 1991. Of these 32,406 subjects: 6,061 took part in the 1965 Nationwide Food Consumption Surveys; 16,425 took part in the 1977-1978 Nationwide Food Consumption Surveys; and 9,920 took part in the 1989-1991 Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals.
Now for the good part. What did each survey consist of? I'll let the researchers explain it in their own words.
In each survey, interviewers asked respondents... to recall their diet over a one-day period (a one-day dietary recall).Each survey covered ONE DAY?! That means that the change in a subject's diet during the period 1965 through 1991 is assumed to be represented by whatever he/she ate during THREE days selected at random; one day from 1965, one day from 1977-1978, and one day from 1989-1991.
Can they really tell that entire races and socioeconomic classes are eating better based on one-day dietary snapshots every 12 years?
The only thing more precious than this article was the accompanying editorial.
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