Nativity is associated with sugar-sweetened beverage and fast-food meal consumption among mexican-origin women in Texas border colonias

Abstract

BackgroundTrends of increasing obesity are especially pronounced among Mexican-origin women. There is little understanding of dietary patterns among U.S.- and Mexico-born Mexican-origin individuals residing in new-destination immigrant communities in the United States, especially behaviors related to obesity, such as consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and fast-food meals (FFM).MethodsThe study used survey data of 599 adult Mexican-origin women from the 610 women who completed the 2009 Colonia Household and Community Food Resource Assessment (C-HCFRA), which was completed in person by trained promotora-researchers in 44 colonias near the Texas border towns of Progreso and La Feria. Data included demographic characteristics (age, education, nativity or country of birth, household income, household composition, and employment status), access to transportation, self-reported height and weight, food and nutrition assistance program participation, and consumption of SSB and FFM. Descriptive statistics were calculated by nativity (U.S.-born vs. Mexico-born); multivariable linear regression models were estimated for correlates of consumption of SSB and FFM.ResultsThere are three major findings related to nativity. First, U.S.-born women consumed more SSB and FFM than Mexican-born counterparts in the same areas of colonias. Second, in the combined sample and controlling for other population characteristics, being born in Mexico was independently associated with FFM (fewer FFM), but not with SSB. Third, in analyses stratified by nativity, FFM and SSB were associated with each other among both nativity groups. Among Mexico-born women only, age, presence of a child, or being a lone parent was significantly associated with SSB; full-time employment, being a lone parent, and SSB consumption were each independently associated with increased frequency of FFM.ConclusionsOur analyses revealed differences in prevalence and correlates of SSB and FFM based on country of birth. Nativity, as a proxy for acculturation, may indicate the extent that immigrants have adopted behaviors from their new environment. However, nativity could also indicate limited accessibility to resources such as food/nutrition assistance programs, transportation, and proper documentation. Additionally, future research should focus on expanding our understanding of the meaning of nativity among individuals who share common contextual factors, but may have different life course experiences and resources needed to transition into a new place. Additional measures should be considered such as educational and occupational background, migration history, documentation status, and dietary acculturation, which may better explain heterogeneity within Hispanic subgroups.

Language use affects food behaviours and food values among Mexican-origin adults in the USA

“…(8; 17; 18) The few studies conducted in this area have primarily focused on fast food and sugar sweetened beverage consumption, both of which increase with acculturation. (17; 19; 20) We agree with previous conceptualizations of the dietary acculturation process, which posit that acculturation can act through a number of psychosocial, structural, and economic pathways that affect where people shop for food, what types of food they purchase, and how their food is prepared. (8; 17) For example, recent immigrants may retain patterns of food behavior established in their countries of origin, shop at different food outlets than their native-born counterparts, make different food choices in food stores and restaurants, or use more or less healthful preparation techniques.…”

Contextual factors and weight change over time: A comparison between U.S. Hispanics and other population sub-groups

“…FANS reports that U.S.-born Mexicans consume less fruit, more sweetened drinks, and more fast food than foreign-born Mexicans (Creighton et al, 2012). Sharkey and colleagues report that U.S.-born Mexican women specifically consume more sweetened beverages and fast food than Mexican-born women (Sharkey et al, 2011). Another possibility for the difference observed between first generation and second plus generation Hispanic women is discrimination.…”

Navigating changing food environments – Transnational perspectives on dietary behaviours and implications for nutrition counselling

“…The patient may be able to recall fondly sharing of one small bottle of soda among all the children in a family on a special Sunday occasion. When the patient themself makes the observation that the traditional amount of liquid calorie consumption is far less than the three times a day, sugar drink with every meal that has been recently adopted among many immigrants (Batis et al 2011, Sharkey et al 2011, patients can feel empowered, in a non-paternalistic way, to consider making changes. With regards to portion control, the counsellor or clinician can ask the patient: 'In earlier…”