248435 A comparison of the dietary habits of adults in Puebla, Mexico to those of Mexican immigrants in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky

Monday, October 31, 2011

Christie Green, MPHC , Department of Health Promotion and Administration, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
Phyllis A. Bryden, DrPH, MSPH, CPH, RN , Health Promotion & Administration, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
Michelyn W. Bhandari, DrPH, MPH, CPH , Department of Health Promotion and Administration, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
Background: Immigrants experience declining health status as years of U.S. residency increase. Rising obesity prevalence and chronic disease rates are common. While U.S. immigrants' nutrition and dietary habits have been studied, little is documented on changes in dietary habits that happen upon emigration from the home country.

Methods: Purposive sampling will be used to select participants: 100 adult immigrants from Mexico living in the 17-county Bluegrass Area Development District of Kentucky, and 100 adult residents of Puebla, Mexico. Participants will complete a voluntary, anonymous, food frequency questionnaire adapted from an NHANES survey about their consumption of fruits, vegetables, and calorie-dense foods. Kentucky data collection will be completed by April 31, 2011; Mexico data collection will be completed by May 27, 2011. Responses of the two populations will be compared.

Objectives: This study intends to: 1) determine differences in fruit and vegetable consumption between adults living in Mexico and adult immigrants from Mexico living in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky, and 2) determine differences in consumption of calorie dense (“junk”) foods between the two populations. The research hypothesis is that adult immigrants in the Bluegrass Region consume fewer servings of fruits and vegetables and more servings of calorie-dense foods than adults living in Mexico.

Conclusion: People from Mexico make up over 60% of the Hispanic immigrant population in the U.S.; a thorough understanding of dietary habits will help tailor health education efforts for culturally effective interventions.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify differences in fruit and vegetable consumption between adults living in Mexico and adult immigrants from Mexico living in Kentucky. 2. Compare the consumption of calorie-dense foods among adults in Mexico to the consumption of calorie-dense foods among immigrants from Mexico living in Kentucky.

Keywords: Nutrition, Immigrants

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have 14 years experience in local public health, including 7 years experience managing interpretation and translation services for clinic programs, home visiting and therapy programs, and school health. I am conducting this study as the culminating research experience for the completion of an MPH.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.