Dry Bean Preferences and Attitudes among Midwest Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Women

Abstract

Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intakes in the United States (US) lag behind dietary recommendations despite their positive nutrition profile, health benefits for reducing chronic disease risk, and inclusion in nutrition assistance programs. Low-income groups, including Hispanics, have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. Hispanic dietary quality and bean consumption may decline with increasing acculturation. Intakes at recommended levels could improve health in all vulnerable low-income populations. The study objectives were to describe dry and canned bean preferences, consumption frequency, and attitudes among low-income Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women, and to assess if these characteristics differed by ethnicity and acculturation level among the Latinas. A convenience sample of 158 women, aged 18–65 years, completed a written survey in English or Spanish at two healthcare clinics, one Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children office, and five County Extension nutrition education and outreach programs in Iowa. Less acculturated Latinas consumed beans more often, preferred dry to canned, bought in bulk, valued color and shape in dry bean selection, and held less positive attitudes toward canned beans in contrast to bicultural/more acculturated and non-Hispanic white women. Ethnicity and acculturation level have a role in varying purchase patterns and attitudes regarding dry and canned beans. Culturally-held differences should be considered in nutrition programs and leveraged to increase consumption and improve health.

Food Behaviors, Health, and Bean Nutrition Awareness among Low-Income Men: A Pilot Study

“…Increasing bean consumption to meet the DGA could improve nutrient shortfalls such as fiber, potassium, and iron, and reduce disease-related risks [15,16]. Only a handful of published studies exist on the factors that influence bean consumption among Americans, and these are mostly with minorities or women [14,[17][18][19][20][21]. Determining the views and current knowledge toward beans among low-income males is necessary to design tailored intervention programs to boost bean intake and improve health.…”

Bean Preferences Vary by Acculturation Level among Latinas and by Ethnicity with Non-Hispanic White Women

“…These programs focus on reducing disparities in food security and improving nutrition knowledge, primarily for low-income and at-risk women with children [14]. Promoting canned beans as well as dry is a way to reduce meal preparation time and increase access to these healthy foods [13,15].…”

“…Important factors in reducing health disparities among Latinas may include identifying preferences for bean purchases (type, form, product size, origin), attitudes toward bean consumption, and degree of acculturation [5,15]. Understanding the preferences and attitudes of all low-income women can provide additional insight into overall family consumption patterns [16,17].…”

“…While private companies may have marketing research data, this information is not publicly available and may represent views of consumers who are not low-income. Few studies have investigated the attitudes or purchasing preferences of low-income women, specifically Latinas, regarding beans or the other foods obtained through food-assistance programs [15,16,18,19]. This paucity of detail interferes with the capability of nutritionists and health professionals to effectively promote pulse consumption [15,20].…”

“…Few studies have investigated the attitudes or purchasing preferences of low-income women, specifically Latinas, regarding beans or the other foods obtained through food-assistance programs [15,16,18,19]. This paucity of detail interferes with the capability of nutritionists and health professionals to effectively promote pulse consumption [15,20]. Nutrition education programs that account for women's established opinions can leverage beneficial behaviors and dispel myths and misconceptions through tailored messages [21].…”