What A Riot, Collect Diet!

In the beautiful islands of American Samoa many indigenous crops grow bountifully including banana, breadfruit, taro, and cassava. These crops are staples of the traditional Samoan diet and are similar to diets in other parts of Polynesia. However, rates for both adult and childhood obesity have risen to epidemic proportions in American Samoa. There is speculation that a contributing factor to the rise of obesity is a transition away from a diet predominated by traditional crops to a diet high in imported foods such as canned meats, sweet and savory snacks, and sugar-sweetened beverages. How do you think the collection of dietary information helps us to address this speculation? This lesson will review the purposes and importance of collecting dietary intake of children.