Acculturation and Diet Quality among Mexican American Adults in the U.S.: Findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2008

Background

The diet quality of Mexican Americans (MAs) is changing with the acculturation process. Using the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI2010), this study examined which aspects of diet quality are impacted by acculturation among MAs.

Methods

The study included 3739 MAs ≥20 years from NHANES 2001-2008. The USDA Food Pattern Equivalents Database was used to translate NHANES dietary data into equivalent servings of the major food groups according to the HEI2010. The HEI2010 scores 12 components (Total Fruit, Whole Fruit, Total Vegetables, Greens and Beans, Total Protein, Seafood and Plant Proteins, Whole Grains, Dairy, Refined Grains, Fatty Acids, Sodium and Empty Calories) for a total of 100 points. For all components, higher scores indicate closer conformance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. A 0-5 acculturation score was constructed using measures of language use, country of birth, and length of residence in the U.S. Weighted linear regressions assessed associations between acculturation and HEI2010 total and component scores.

Results

The mean HEI2010 total scores for MA men and women were 49.3 (0.3) and 52.0 (0.3) respectively. HEI2010 total and all component scores differed significantly between acculturation levels in unadjusted analyses. In adjusted analyses, a higher degree of acculturation (score 3-5) was associated with lower HEI2010 total score and Total Fruit, Whole Fruit, Greens and Beans, Total Proteins and Empty Calories component scores (all p-value<0.01).

Conclusion

Acculturation was associated with poorer diet quality, especially in aspects of Fruit, Greens and Beans, Protein and Empty Calories. Dietary interventions targeting MAs should consider the effect of acculturation.