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

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.