Nurgul Fitzgerald

Nutrition Knowledge, Food Label Use, and Food Intake Patterns among Latinas with and without Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE To examine the associations of nutrition knowledge, food label use, and food intake patterns among Latinas with and without diagnosed diabetes. DESIGN This was a case-control study. SUBJECTS/SETTING A convenience sample of 201 (100 cases with diagnosed type 2 diabetes, 101 controls without diagnosed diabetes) nonpregnant, nonbreastfeeding Latinas without severe health conditions, aged 35 to 60 years were interviewed by bicultural interviewers. Diverse community-based recruitment methods were used. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED Independent samples t test, Mann-Whitney U, and chi(2) tests, and multivariate logistic regression were performed. RESULTS Food labels self-efficacy and stage of change, and average nutrition knowledge scores were similar between cases and controls (P>0.05). Within the diabetes group, nutrition knowledge was greater among those who had seen a registered dietitian or a diabetes educator (P=0.020). Cases reported consuming artificially sweetened desserts and beverages more frequently than controls (P<0.001). Pooled sample cross-sectional analyses showed that nutrition knowledge was positively related to food label use, which in turn was related to a more healthful food intake pattern (P<0.05). After adjusting for likely confounders, socioeconomic status (SES) was positively related to nutrition knowledge (P=0.001) and intakes of fruits, vegetables, and meats (P<or=0.01). SES was not related to food label use independently of nutrition knowledge. Acculturation was positively related to soft drink and salty snack intakes (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS There is a need to improve nutrition knowledge and skills for both groups, especially for those with low SES. Culturally appropriate interventions should emphasize the healthful nutritional behaviors from ones primary culture for effective retention of such traits.

Acculturation, socioeconomic status, obesity and lifestyle factors among low-income Puerto Rican women in Connecticut, U.S., 1998-1999

OBJECTIVES To examine the associations of socioeconomic status and acculturation with obesity and lifestyle characteristics that may be risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease among low-income Puerto Rican women. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1998 and 1999 by interviewing a convenience sample of 200 low-income Puerto Rican female caretakers of young children in Hartford, Connecticut, United States of America. Various recruitment methods were used to ensure adequate representation of the target community. The associations of obesity (body mass index > or = 30.0) and lifestyle factors (physical activity, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, food intake) with socioeconomic status (education, employment, car ownership), acculturation, age, and marital status were examined with Spearman rho, chi-squared, and Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS Mean age was 29 years. Obesity (40%), physical inactivity (47%), and cigarette smoking (32%) were common. Less acculturated participants were 57% less likely to smoke and 54% less likely to be obese than their more acculturated counterparts. Lower socioeconomic status (not finishing high school or not owning a car) was associated with a higher likelihood of obesity, but unemployed (vs. employed) women were less likely to be obese (P < 0.05). Women who did not own a car consumed meat, eggs and fish less often than those who owned a car. Smokers were more likely to have an unhealthy food intake pattern than nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS The associations of acculturation and socioeconomic status with some lifestyle characteristics suggest the need for culturally appropriate programs to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in this low-income community.