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Unfavorable eating patterns among Mexican-identified Californians: Stratifying by nativity is crucial to understanding generational differences


Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Mariaelena Gonzalez, Ph.D., Public Health, University of California Merced, Merced, CA
Jennifer Mendiola, M.A., Department of Psychological Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA
Anna V. Song, PhD, Psychological Sciences, School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA
Lillian Diaz Rios, PhD, University of California Cooperative Extension - Merced, Merced, CA
Mary V. Modayil, MSPH, PhD, California Department of Public Health, California Tobacco Control Program, Sacramento, CA
Background: 70% of Mexican-identified Californians are overweight or obese, and inappropriate diet is a contributing factor.  Little is known about how social determinants of excess soda consumption (ESC), fast food meal consumption (FFM), and vegetable consumption (VC) among Mexican-identified Californians (MICs) varies by generational status.

Methods:  We used logistic regressions to analyze the social determinants of ESC, FFM, and VC among Mexican-identified respondents in the 2012 California Health Interview Survey (N=7,062).  We used obesity, generational status, smoking  and drinking status, social capital, self-rated health, and other individual difference variables to predict ESC, FFM, and VC.  We then stratified the sample by nativity (US born: N=3,142; foreign-born: N=4,324).

Results:  Having below a high school education (OR = 1.66, p=0.05) and consuming 6 or more cigarettes per day (OR = 1.83, p=0.012) were associated with ESC for native-born MICs only. Being poor (OR = 1.63, p=0.001), and binge drinking (OR = 1.66, p=0.05) was associated with increased odds of ESC for foreign-born MICs only. Being 60 or older was associated with VC for foreign, but not native-born MICs, while employment is associated with FFM among native but not foreign born MICs.

Conclusion:  Social determinants associated with SC, FFM and VC vary among  MICs by nativity. Consistent with research on the immigrant paradox, second and third generation MICs show a pattern of worse eating behaviors compared to first generation adults.  Understanding generational differences of undesirable eating patterns is crucial for developing interventions for obese MICs, and preventing eating-related diseases in this population.

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention

Learning Objectives:
Identify and compare social determinants associated with unfavorable eating patterns for U.S.-born and foreign-born Mexican-identified Californians. Explain why social determinants of unfavorable eating patterns differ by nativity.

Keyword(s): Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am graduate student in the health psychology grogram at the University of California, Merced. I have worked under the direction of Anna Song, PhD and Mariaelena Gonzalez, PhD. Together we have examined several social determinants of risk and prevention behaviors among Mexican-identified Californians.
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.

Back to: 5013.0: Poster: Health disparities