Eating Patterns Among Foreign & U.S. Born Latino and African American Residents of East & South Los Angeles: A Mixed Method Approach

Background: The Community Diabetes Initiative random digit dial phone survey and community resident interviews were developed to identify risk factors associated with high rates of obesity and diabetes in two low-income communities -- East and South Los Angeles. Ethnic and acculturation differences were also examined.

Methods: A 30-minute telephone survey with 382 adults targeted demographics and food consumption behaviors and treated BMI and food consumption as independent and dependent variables. Content analysis was performed on interview data collected from 43 in-depth interviews with community residents. Analysis stratified the sample by ethnicity (Latino, African American) and whether Latino respondents were US or foreign born.

Key Results: Foreign-born Latinos reported higher daily fruit consumption compared to US- born Latinos and African Americans. African Americans reported higher daily consumption of vegetables versus US-born and foreign-born Latinos. Foreign-born Latinos reported consuming less fast food the previous day compared to US- born Latinos and African Americans. Foreign-born Latinos shopped more often than the other groups with African Americans shopping the least often. The majority of African Americans only shopped two or less times a month, suggesting less access to fresh fruits and vegetables. African Americans were more likely to have one or more chronic health problem including diabetes than foreign-born and US-born Latinos.

Discussion: Nearly all participants in this study were living in poverty. While past research confirms strong associations between poverty and obesity/diabetes, this presentation identifies nuanced risk and protective factors in a predominantly low-income sample. Interventions should focus on the protective factors already present in high-risk communities.