Alcohol Consumption and Its Effect on the Dietary Patterns of Hualapai Indian Women

Studies of Native American diet have ignored the nutritional and dietary effects of alcohol consumption. Studies of Native American alcohol consumption have largely ignored the socioeconomic characteristics and drinking behaviors of women. Seven-day 24-hour dietary recalls collected from 28 Hualapai Indian women revealed that 12 participants (43%) drank alcoholic beverages. Drinkers frequently skipped meals, yet maintained an energy intake higher than non-drinkers by consuming high calorie alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and by eating large restaurant meals. Despite energy intake differences, drinkers and non-drinkers did not differ in body weight or percent body fat. Drinkers were not at risk for protein malnutrition as reported for other female drinkers, but Hualapais' tendency to fast while drinking may increase their risk of liver disease. In contrast to reports of Native American males, female drinkers in this sample were often high school graduates with full-time jobs.