Dietary acculturation and body composition predict American Mmong children's blood pressure

Acculturation, food-related and general parenting, and body weight in Chinese-American children

Parents' food-related and general parenting behaviors may vary according to cultural background, with consequences for child eating behavior and weight. A better understanding of food-related and general parenting behaviors adopted by Chinese-American parents, and the relationships of all of these behaviors with child weight, is essential to aid the development of culturally appropriate interventions to prevent obesity in Chinese-American children. We investigated cross-sectional relationships of acculturation with parental feeding behaviors assessed with the Child Feeding Questionnaire, Parent Feeding Styles Questionnaire and Caregiver's Feeding Styles Questionnaire, and general parenting behaviors assessed with the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire, in a sample of Chinese-American parents of 5-12 year-old children (n = 233). Parental level of acculturation was assessed using the Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation scale. We performed generalized linear regressions to explore associations of acculturation levels with parental feeding and general parenting subscales and also associations of these factors with child body mass index (BMI) z-score. Acculturation was associated with higher scores on Responsiveness in feeding, lower scores on subscales assessing controlling feeding behaviors (Restriction, Pressure to eat, Demandingness in feeding), lower scores on non-nutritive feeding behaviors (Emotional feeding, Instrumental feeding), and greater likelihood of an indulgent feeding style. With regard to general parenting, acculturation was associated with lower scores on subscales assessing authoritarian parenting. Parental Prompting/Encouragement to eat was associated with lower child BMI z-score, while authoritarian parenting subscales were associated with higher BMI z-score. An appreciation of the impact of cultural variation on food-related and general parenting may help to inform the development of culturally-sensitive obesity prevention interventions.

Food Selection Factors and Perceived Influence on Household Foods Post-Arrival to the U.S. of Newcomer Immigrant and Refugee Adolescents

The objective of this study was to examine food selection factors and influence on household food selection by newcomer immigrant and refugee adolescents. Participants (n = 68) reported healthfulness (70.1%) and taste (44.2%) as their primary influencing factors. Adolescents' Refugee camp experience, BMI, sex, and ethnicity were associated with reported influences on food selection. Most (85.3%) had tried new foods, reported influence on household food selection (81%) and new food consumption was associated with adolescents' influence on the overall household's food selection. In summary, a variety of factors influence adolescent newcomer's food selection and influence on household food selection is high.

Diet, Physical Activity and Weight-Related Behaviors, Changes and Risks with Newly-Arrived (< 1 Year) Immigrant and Refugee Adolescents (Ages 12-17)

Adolescent immigrants and refugees are at elevated risk for obesity, however, gaps remain regarding specific diet and lifestyle changes. This study examined: (1) weight status, behaviors and perceptions, (2) diet patterns and changes, (3) sociodemographic and dietary factors associated with BMI. Cross sectional survey, anthropometric measures were conducted at a school for newcomer youth in North Carolina. Data analysis included descriptive, frequency, bivariate and linear regression. Participants (n = 68, 55% female, < 1 year US) included immigrants and refugees ages 12-17. Thirty-one percent were overweight or obese. Forty-seven percent had attempted to lose weight. Positive weight perceptions were associated with normal BMI (p = 0.010). Fruit, milk, fruit juice, soda, and meat consumption increased post-arrival (p = 0.037, p = 0.010, p = 0.003, p = 0.044, p = 0.014, respectively). Dietary change was positively associated with BMI (p = 0.002). Adverse diet and lifestyle changes occur rapidly, are associated with obesity, and weight control behaviors and concerns warrant early intervention.

Impact of acculturation on depression, perceived stress and self-esteem in young Middle Eastern American adults

BACKGROUND

Human biologists have a longstanding interest in understanding the biological and health impacts of migration. Acculturation, the cultural adjustment that a group or individual experiences when previously separate cultures interact, has been found to be one pathway through which migration may impact human biology and health, not only for the migrants themselves, but also their descendants.

AIM

The authors conducted a pilot study to examine the relationship between acculturation and perceived stress, self-esteem and depression among young Middle-Eastern American adults.

SUBJECT AND METHODS

Survey data were collected from 48 young Middle-Eastern American adults. Participants were divided into one of two acculturation categories, integrated (American and Middle Eastern culture oriented) and assimilated (American culture oriented). Health measures were compared between these acculturation categories.

RESULTS

Integrated individuals had significantly lower stress (F = 8.1, p < 0.01) and depression (F = 10.8, p < 0.01) than assimilated individuals. Integrated individuals had lower self-esteem than assimilated individuals (F = 5.0, p < 0.05). Generational status, a proxy used for acculturation, was only significantly associated with self-esteem (F = 3.15, p = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This pilot study furthers understanding of the effects acculturation can have on perceived stress and mental health among young Middle-Eastern Americans. Future research should incorporate biological measures of stress to determine the physiological impacts of acculturation.

Low-Income, Urban Children's Perspectives on Physical Activity: A Photovoice Project

Objectives The purpose of this research was to have ethnically diverse, 9- to 13-year-olds who live in urban, low-income households use Photovoice to represent their physical activity practices and their perception of their physical activity environment. Methods Photovoice methodology was used to allow children to capture their physical activity habits and environment through photographs and interviews. The Social Cognitive Theory was used as the theoretical framework. Heights and weights were taken for all children and BMI was calculated. Photographs were analyzed by recording the content of usable photos in SPSS software. Qualitative analysis of the interview transcripts used the open coding method. Results Participants were 24 children (15 male, 9 female) living in inner city, low-income households. On average, children were 10.9 years old and the mean BMI-for-age percentile was 72 %. Children took a total of 377 pictures and 339 of these were usable. Three themes were identified across interviews and photographs, (a) types of activity, (b) social environment, and (c) physical environment where activity took place. Conclusions for Practice This study provides insight into low-income, urban children's physical activity habits and environment using a novel approach. Potential ways to increase moderate to high intensity activity among this population are to involve church-based organizations, create more safe places to play by increasing green space in urban areas, and to provide financial support for after-school programs and community centers.

The Food Environment Through the Camera Lenses of 9- to 13-Year-Olds Living in Urban, Low-Income, Midwestern Households: A Photovoice Project

OBJECTIVE

To pilot Photovoice methodology with low-income, urban 9- to 13-year-olds to gain insight about their food environment and to determine whether this methodology was engaging and acceptable to them.

METHODS

Photovoice methodology was used to allow children to represent their food environment. Twenty male and 9 female, low-income, 9- to 13-year-old children participated. Quantitative photograph analysis included quantity taken and usable internal/external and social environment and healthfulness categorizations. Qualitative analysis was conducted through open coding of interview transcripts.

RESULTS

A total of 345 usable photos were taken by the children (n = 29), depicting both healthy and unhealthy foods. Four themes were identified (1) food characteristics; (2) social environment; (3) kitchen, cooking, and dining environments; and (4) food insecurity. Unhealthy food was most readily available to children. Children reported a lack of functioning kitchen equipment and multiple physical and environmental challenges to consuming a healthy diet. Food insecurity was prevalent. Food stamps and food pantries were used to fill gaps in the home food supply.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Photovoice can be effective in engaging children in conversation about their food environment and increases understanding of their experiences with food. Photovoice can provide insight into the household food environments. This information can be used to tailor interventions to better reflect the living environment and eating behaviors in low-income populations.