A Description of Acculturation, Social Support, and Cultural Food Patterns in a Population of Pregnant First Generation Mexican-American Immigrants

A Description of Acculturation, Social Support, and Cultural Food Patterns in a Population of Pregnant First Generation Mexican-American Immigrants PDF Author: Mary Lynn Johnson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Linguistic Acculturation and Food Behaviors Among Mexican-origin Populations

Linguistic Acculturation and Food Behaviors Among Mexican-origin Populations PDF Author: Brent Alan Langellier
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 325

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In this dissertation, I seek to examine changes in diet and other food behaviors that take place within and across generations of Mexican immigrants in the U.S.I present four studies, each of which addresses a set of common hypotheses. My first hypothesis is that well-documented shifts in diet that occur as Mexican immigrants spend time in the U.S and become more acculturated may represent just one aspect of a broader shift in food behaviors. I use data from the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and survey data that were collected as part of a community intervention study in East Los Angeles, California (East L.A. Community Survey) to examine the relationship between linguistic acculturation and a variety of food purchasing, preparation, and consumption behaviors among Mexican Americans. I present evidence of a broad shift in food behaviors as Mexican Americans acculturate, characterized by decreased home meal preparation and increased reliance on prepared and processed foods from restaurants and other food sources. My second hypothesis is that not all changes in food behaviors that occur within and across immigrant generations are the result of exposure to and adoption of U.S. culture, and thus should not be thought of as `dietary acculturation.' Rather, I argue that much of the change in food behaviors that occurs among Mexican immigrants and their offspring may result from shifts in social characteristics such as income, education, and urban exposure. For example, many immigrants migrate from rural areas in Mexico to large urban areas in the U.S., and educational attainment and socioeconomic status improve quickly among immigrants and their offspring. I argue that these important social factors would affect food behaviors in any country, and thus it is important to differentiate between their influence and shifts in food behaviors caused by exposure to and adoption of U.S. culture. I investigate my second hypothesis using data from adult participants in the 2006 Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (National Health and Nutrition Study), a large population-based study conducted in Mexico. I examine patterns in food behaviors among Mexican adults, finding that food spending and consumption of foods prepared outside of the home increase dramatically with income, education, and urban versus rural residence. Thus, my findings suggest that many of the social differences between more-acculturated Mexican Americans from their less-acculturated counterparts would result in large social gradients in food behaviors within the Mexican population, even in the absence of exposure to and adoption of U.S. culture. I also examine my second hypothesis using data from the 2005-2010 NHANES and the East L.A. Community Survey. I assess whether any observed relationship between linguistic acculturation and food behaviors is explained by income, education, and other sociodemographic differences between more- and less-acculturated Mexican Americans. My findings suggest that much of the relationship between linguistic acculturation and food behaviors is explained by these other social factors, and thus not all changes in food behaviors that occur within and across immigrant generations should be labeled as 'dietary acculturation.'

A Qualitative Study of the Dietary Acculturation Among Long-term Hispanic Immigrants

A Qualitative Study of the Dietary Acculturation Among Long-term Hispanic Immigrants PDF Author: Rocío Petersen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Hispanic Americans
Languages : en
Pages : 65

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The evolving United States demographics, evident from the most recent census, show a steady population growth for Hispanics. Research suggests that after immigrating to the United States, first-generation Hispanic populations seem vulnerable to weight gain and development of chronic disease. Many health professionals recognize the increased need for Spanish language support as well as sensitivity toward ethnic foods and cultural differences. Targeting these adults would help nutritionists/dietitians to better disseminate information that has the potential to benefit the immigrants and the future health of their second-generation Hispanic American children. The dietary acculturation literature is not well-developed regarding the measurement of acculturation or dietary acculturation specifically. Acculturation occurs when two or more cultures interact and results in changes in individuals' behaviors, values, and senses of identity. This limitation challenges our understanding of the lifestyle-dietary pattern adaptations which may impact the health status of Hispanic immigrants. Exploring dietary acculturation is useful for providing insight to improve and develop messages that facilitate adaptations of healthy dietary patterns. The purpose of this study was to explore how Hispanic immigrant families' dietary behaviors are impacted by influences of a new cultural and food environment. Additionally, an objective was to facilitate programming and other efforts that assist Hispanic populations in the adaptation of healthy lifestyles after immigrating to the U.S. The study included conducting qualitative interviews with Hispanic mothers (n=10) of pre-adolescent children ages 10-13. The participants had been living in the United States for an average of 16.9 years, with a range from 10 to 29 years. All the parents were foreign-born, first-generation immigrants. Eight participants were originally from Mexico, one from El Salvador, and one from Columbia. Language use at home was "only Spanish" for 60% (n=6), "Spanish better than English" for 30% (n=3), and "both equally" for 10% (n=1). Results from the short language-based acculturation scale revealed subjects had similar scores, with an average of 1.8 out of 5, despite a wide range of years in the U.S. Three major themes emerged from the qualitative analysis of the interviews. The themes reflect that lifestyle changes experienced with immigration influence dietary pattern adaptations, foreign-born immigrants desire to maintain their cultural traditions, and acculturation of their dietary patterns to the dominant culture occurs over time. The Hispanic mothers were the main food-preparers in the home and they believed they should expose their children to the foods and lifestyle of their native countries. The findings from the research suggest that future research should search for ways to support Hispanic mothers in maintaining healthier food traditions and resisting their children's preferences for less healthy choices. Educational materials aimed at immigrant Hispanic audiences should be provided in both English and Spanish. Finally, Hispanic immigrants should be counseled about lifestyle changes that impact time management, while being encouraged to pursue more opportunities for physical activity. Efforts to help maintain their cultural food practices and identify nutritious choices and acceptable alternatives may assist in adapting their diets positively.

Examining an Epidemiologic Paradox

Examining an Epidemiologic Paradox PDF Author: Kim Gwendolyn Harley
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Cultural Perspectives on Food and Nutrition

Cultural Perspectives on Food and Nutrition PDF Author: Cynthia Roberts
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Cross-cultural studies
Languages : en
Pages : 96

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Interactions Between Social Support, Acculturation and Health Among Mexican Immigrants

Interactions Between Social Support, Acculturation and Health Among Mexican Immigrants PDF Author: Christopher D. Anderson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic Dissertations
Languages : en
Pages : 94

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Acculturation, Social Support, Stress and Adjustment of the Mexican American College Woman

Acculturation, Social Support, Stress and Adjustment of the Mexican American College Woman PDF Author: Andrea Vallez
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Adjustment (Psychology)
Languages : en
Pages : 136

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Cultural Factors Affecting Diet and Pregnancy Outcome of Mexican-American Adolescents

Cultural Factors Affecting Diet and Pregnancy Outcome of Mexican-American Adolescents PDF Author: Yolanda Monroy Gutierrez
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mexican American teenage girls
Languages : en
Pages : 580

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Hispanics and the Future of America

Hispanics and the Future of America PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309164818
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 502

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Hispanics and the Future of America presents details of the complex story of a population that varies in many dimensions, including national origin, immigration status, and generation. The papers in this volume draw on a wide variety of data sources to describe the contours of this population, from the perspectives of history, demography, geography, education, family, employment, economic well-being, health, and political engagement. They provide a rich source of information for researchers, policy makers, and others who want to better understand the fast-growing and diverse population that we call "Hispanic." The current period is a critical one for getting a better understanding of how Hispanics are being shaped by the U.S. experience. This will, in turn, affect the United States and the contours of the Hispanic future remain uncertain. The uncertainties include such issues as whether Hispanics, especially immigrants, improve their educational attainment and fluency in English and thereby improve their economic position; whether growing numbers of foreign-born Hispanics become citizens and achieve empowerment at the ballot box and through elected office; whether impending health problems are successfully averted; and whether Hispanics' geographic dispersal accelerates their spatial and social integration. The papers in this volume provide invaluable information to explore these issues.

Dietary Risk Factors and Acculturation Among Mexican Migrant (southwest-U.S.) and Non-migrant (northwest-Mexico) Women

Dietary Risk Factors and Acculturation Among Mexican Migrant (southwest-U.S.) and Non-migrant (northwest-Mexico) Women PDF Author: Maria Isabel Ortega
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mexican American women
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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