How Socioeconomic Status and Acculturation Relate to Dietary Behaviors Within Latino Populations

Abstract

Purpose Despite having lower socioeconomic status, Latinos in the US experience fewer adverse health outcomes than non-Latinos. However, they are disproportionately affected by diet-related diseases. Among other racial/ethnic groups, high acculturation and low socioeconomic status are associated with worse dietary intake, yet, few studies have investigated these relationships among Latinos. Design 2013–2014 NHANES analyzed to examine pathways through which acculturation, income, nativity, and food security are associated with dietary behaviors. Setting U.S. population-based survey. Sample Survey respondents >18 years old and identified as Latino/Hispanic (N = 1197; 53.88% female; Mage = 44.61). Measures Primary language spoken (acculturation), total household income (income), place of birth (nativity), Food security, and the Flexible Consumer Behavior Survey (dietary behavior). Analysis Univariate and multivariate regressions in STATA. Covariates include length of time in the US, ethnicity/Hispanic origin (i.e., “Mexican American” or “Other Hispanic”), and gender. Results Nativity ( β = −1.16; SE = .19; P < .001) and income ( β = .39; SE = .07; P < .001) were significant predictors of dietary behavior. Foreign-born Latinos and those with lower income consumed significantly lower numbers of fast-food or pizza. Food security was not a significant predictor of dietary behavior ( β = .16; SE = .1; P > .05). Conclusions Results suggest that income is not a protective factor against unhealthy dietary behavior and a renewed importance of nativity as a predictor of health behavior among Latinos.