Latina mothers speak: Cultural dis-ease and the social construction of poor nutritional status and obesity among migrant worker families

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Kristen Borre, PhD, MPH, UNC-NC Agromedicine Institute and the Dept. of Pediatrics, East Carolina University, 106 West Research Building, West Research Campus, Greenville, NC 27858, 252-744-1051, borrek@ecu.edu and Luke Ertl, BA, Anthropology and Public Health, UNC-NC Agromedicine Institute/East Carolina University, 106 West Research Building, West Research Campus, Greenville, NC 27858.

Latino/a migrant farm workers are vulnerable to significant food security problems, many related to lack of knowledge about interpreting the food consumption messages embedded in American culture. These issues affect diet in ways that contribute to excessive weight gain over time. In an ethnographic study of overweight and dietary adaptation among 67 migrant families, Latina mothers discussed their dietary changes since they arrived in the US and their concerns about obesity and diabetes. They discussed their knowledge of food and nutrition and about how much food and the kinds of food children need for growth and achieving a healthy weight. Latinas are often confused by conflicting messages in nutrition programs and in food advertising. All expressed frustration with adapting to the kinds of foods available in US food markets. Latina mothers have a good understanding of basic nutritional principles and would like to serve a variety of foods daily: including fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, beans, rice, potatoes, cheese, eggs, and meats. They are faced with difficulties in obtaining fresh foods, with knowing how to shop in supermarkets for the best values, and in how to control serving sizes. Latinas need help to obtain access to quality foods at low cost and to understand food advertising. Nutritionists must be more sensitive to the sub-texts of nutrition messages given in food programs (WIC). Educational messages about serving sizes and portion control, hidden sugar/fat content of processed foods, and soft drink consumption are needed. Funded by NIOSH.

Learning Objectives:

By the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to

1)Recognize the relationship between food security, cultural dis-ease of immigrants; and diet for the children of Latina mothers working in agriculture; 2)Develop appropriate and culturally-competent food and nutrition education programs and messages for Latina mothers to prevent the development of overweight among their children; and 3)Design environment and policy changes to improve access to care and health promoting foods for Latina working mothers and their children.

Keywords: Food Security, Latinas

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Health Care Interventions for Refugee and Immigrant Populations

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA