The sample studied in the HHANES included ______.

The correct answer highlights that the sample studied in the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES) consisted of a specific subset of the Hispanic population, namely Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans living in select areas of the U.S. This approach was intentional, as the study aimed to gather detailed health and nutritional data from diverse Hispanic communities while acknowledging that not all members of these groups were living in every part of the country.

By focusing on select geographic areas, the researchers were able to obtain a more manageable and relevant data set, ensuring that the findings would accurately reflect the health and nutritional status of these populations within specific contexts. This method enhances the validity of the results, as health and nutrition influences can vary significantly based on local culture, access to resources, and other environmental factors.

Other options, although they mention various groups within the Hispanic population, either over-generalize the sample by implying inclusivity of all individuals in the mentioned groups across the U.S. or limit the diversity of the sample. The correct answer, therefore, reflects the study's strategic sampling to obtain representative and contextually relevant data for community nutrition assessment.