American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 25, 348-353, Copyright © 1972 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Urbanization, diet, and potential health effects in Palau

¹ From the School of Public Health, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822

Dietary surveys were conducted among random samples of 80 to 90 adults each in three areas of Palau at different stages of western acculturation: isolated villages of Ngarchelong; the district center of Koror; and the transitory municipality of Peleliu. Intakes of calories, total and saturated fats were greater in Ngarchelong than elsewhere due to the frequent use of coconut. Protein and carbohydrate intakes were similar among the groups. The occasional use of meat and eggs in Koror increased cholesterol intakes, but not dietary fats. In both Koror and Peleliu, imported items of low nutritive content replaced local vegetables used in Ngarchelong, resulting in lower intakes of most minerals and vitamins.

Peleliu had the lowest nutrient intakes, suggesting that the transitory stage of acculturation is accompanied by dietary deterioration that could affect health status, particularly of women and children.

With respect to total and saturated fats, Peleliu resembled Koror rather than Ngarchelong, and with respect to cholesterol, Peleliu resembled Ngarchelong rather than Koror. Hypotheses for testing the effects of these dietary differences, significant at the 0.01 level, on prevalence and risk factors of CHD in these areas are proposed.