262571 Does acculturation moderate the relationship between food-related behaviors and BMI in Latinos?

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Emily Schmied, MPH , Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University/University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
Humberto Parada Jr., MPH, CPH , Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego, CA
Hala Madanat, PhD , Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Guadalupe X. Ayala, PhD, MPH , Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Introduction: Obesity is a leading health issue within the U.S. Latino population. While research suggests there is a positive correlation between time spent in the U.S. and body weight, the cause of the relationship remains unclear. Daily food-related behaviors such as watching TV while eating are also known to increase BMI, but it is unknown if acculturation influences this relationship. This study examined the effect of acculturation on the relationship between food-related behaviors and BMI among Latinas. Methods: Participants included 292 Latinas living in the U.S. Measures of acculturation and food-related behaviors were collected via self-report surveys and BMI was obtained via anthropometric measurement. Acculturation was measured by number of years spent living in the U.S. Food-related behaviors were measured with a 9-item scale which assessed the frequency with which participants engaged in behaviors known to be correlated to BMI. Linear regression was performed using zero-centered independent and moderator variables and an interaction term. Results: Most participants were obese according to CDC BMI criteria (mean=31.44, SD=7.41) and most lived in the U.S. for over a decade (mean=16.03, SD=9.68). Linear regression showed significant correlations between food-related behaviors and BMI (b=0.211, p<.001) and time spent in the U.S. and BMI (b=.127, p<.05). Time spent in the U.S. was not a significant moderating variable between food-related behaviors and BMI (R2=.063, p=.604). Conclusions: Number of years spent living in the U.S. did not moderate the relationship between food-related behaviors and BMI. Further research should explore this relationship in a more diverse sample of immigrants.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
1. Assess the relationship between food-related behaviors and BMI in a Latino population. 2.Assess the effect of acculturation status on the relationship between food-related behaviors and BMI in a Latino population.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a doctoral student in the Public Health Joint Doctoral Program at San Diego State University/University of California San Diego.I have five years of public health research experience with a dual emphasis on mental health and obesity.
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.