 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Sarah E. Colby, MS, RD and Lauren A. Haldeman, PhD. Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, 336-256-0311, secolby@uncg.edu
The Latino population of Guilford County, North Carolina has increased by 500% in the past decade. The purpose of this study is to assess the nutritional needs of this increasing group of new immigrants. A bilingual, bicultural community interviewer and a registered dietitian are conducting household interviews with a convenience sample of low-income Latino caretakers of at least one child <= 12 years. Preliminary findings (N=36) indicate that respondents are primarily Mexican born Spanish speaking women having resided in the U.S. on average 4 years. Using a translated version of the U.S. Household Food Security/Hunger Survey Module, the majority of respondents (N=34) reported some level of food insecurity (without hunger 55.6%, with moderate hunger 19.4%, with severe hunger 19.4%). Severe hunger indicates child hunger. Preliminary results reveal as severity of food insecurity increases respondents are more likely to have a BMI >= 30% (without hunger 55.0%, with moderate hunger 57.4%, with severe hunger 74.4%). The pattern of food behaviors indicate that respondents living in food insecure households with severe hunger are more likely than respondents in food insecure households without hunger to drink artificial juices (66.7% vs. 63.2%, respectively) and eat desserts (85.7% vs. 75.0%, respectively). Including snack consumption, a similar pattern was found among children. Additionally, respondents and children of food insecure households without hunger are more likely to consume leafy green vegetables and drink 100% fruit juice. Nutrition education interventions focusing on households with the most severe level of food insecurity are important for promoting healthier food selections.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Food and Nutrition, Latinos
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.