Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the association of parent acculturation with child fruit and vegetable consumption
and obesity, as measured by body mass index (BMI). Participants included 250 Mexican-American and other Hispanic families
living within San Diego County. Height and weight measurements were collected to calculate the age- and sex-specific BMI for
each child and parent, and parents completed self-administered surveys. Child BMI z-score was significantly related to parent BMI after controlling for parent acculturation and parent birth place (β = 0.05,
p < 0.01). Child fruit consumption was significantly associated with parent acculturation (β = −0.02, p = 0.01) and parent BMI (β = 0.02, p = 0.04) after adjusting for the other variables in the model. Child vegetable consumption was not significantly related to
parent acculturation. Findings suggest that parental weight status may be more predictive of child obesity than acculturation,
and highlight the need to examine culturally relevant behavioral and psychosocial factors related to childhood obesity and
dietary behaviors.
and obesity, as measured by body mass index (BMI). Participants included 250 Mexican-American and other Hispanic families
living within San Diego County. Height and weight measurements were collected to calculate the age- and sex-specific BMI for
each child and parent, and parents completed self-administered surveys. Child BMI z-score was significantly related to parent BMI after controlling for parent acculturation and parent birth place (β = 0.05,
p < 0.01). Child fruit consumption was significantly associated with parent acculturation (β = −0.02, p = 0.01) and parent BMI (β = 0.02, p = 0.04) after adjusting for the other variables in the model. Child vegetable consumption was not significantly related to
parent acculturation. Findings suggest that parental weight status may be more predictive of child obesity than acculturation,
and highlight the need to examine culturally relevant behavioral and psychosocial factors related to childhood obesity and
dietary behaviors.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9592-8
- Authors
- Monica I. Morello, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Hala Madanat, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Noe C. Crespo, Arizona State University, School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Exercise and Wellness Program, 500 N. Third Street, Mail Code: 3020, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
- Hector Lemus, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- John Elder, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912