Rosa Gomez-Camacho

Correlates of food patterns in young Latino children at high risk of obesity

OBJECTIVE The present paper examines the influence of age and gender on food patterns of Latino children. DESIGN Data are from baseline of a 5-year, quasi-experimental obesity prevention study: Niños Sanos, Familia Sana (NSFS; Healthy Children, Healthy Families). In 2012, the researchers interviewed Latino parents, using a thirty-item questionnaire to ask about their childrens food consumption and feeding practices. Statistical tests included t tests and ANCOVA. SETTING Rural communities in Californias Central Valley, USA. SUBJECTS Two hundred and seventeen parents (87-89% born in Mexico) and their children (aged 2-8 years). RESULTS Fifty-one per cent of the children were overweight or obese (≥85th percentile of BMI for age and gender). Mean BMI Z-scores were not significantly different in boys (1·10 (SD 1·07)) and girls (0·92 (SD 1·04); P=0·12). In bivariate analysis, children aged 2-4 years consumed fast and convenience foods less often (P=0·04) and WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)-allowable foods more often than children aged 5-8 years (P=0·01). In ANCOVA, neither age nor gender was significantly related to food patterns. Mothers acculturation level was positively related to childrens consumption of fast and convenience foods (P=0·0002) and negatively related to consumption of WIC foods (P=0·01). Providing role modelling and structure in scheduling meals and snacks had a positive effect on the vegetable pattern (P=0·0007), whereas meal skipping was associated with more frequent fast and convenience food consumption (P=0·04). CONCLUSIONS Acculturation and child feeding practices jointly influence food patterns in Latino immigrant children and indicate a need for interventions that maintain diet quality as children transition to school.

Multifaceted community‐based intervention reduces rate of BMI growth in obese Mexican‐origin boys

Latino children and youth have some of the highest rates of overweight and obesity. Early intervention is important to prevent future obesity and illness in this population.

Prevalence and Perception of Childhood Obesity in California’s Farmworker Communities

In California’s central valley, childhood obesity rates are above the national average. The majority of families living in the rural, agricultural communities of this region are immigrant of Mexican heritage, and face numerous social and environmental challenges. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected from a population of Mexican-heritage children 3–8 years (N = 609) and families (N = 466) living in two central valley communities. Overall, 45 % of children and 82 % of mothers were classified as overweight or obese. Multivariable analyses indicated that mother’s BMI and acculturation level were positively associated with child BMI z-score. Most children classified as overweight or obese (92 % and 53 %, respectively) were perceived as having ‘normal’ weight by their mothers. Childhood obesity remains a major public health issue in Mexican-heritage, central valley communities. Our model indicates that mother’s BMI is predictor of child obesity, and parents tend to underestimate their child’s weight status. These findings highlight a need for family-targeted and culturally-tailored approaches to address relevant perceptions of obesity and risk factors in these communities.

Attitudes and Social Norms Are Related to Attendance at Childhood Obesity Prevention Classes in a Rural Mexican-Heritage Community

Objective To examine factors related to attendance of Mexican‐heritage parents at community‐based nutrition classes to prevent childhood obesity. Methods Starting in 2011, interviewers collected baseline data from Niños Sanos Familia Sana (Healthy Children, Healthy Families) participants in rural California. Educators maintained attendance logs from 2012 to 2014. Informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior, interviewers administered an exit survey in 2015 to collect data on attitudes, subjective norms, health motivations, and perceived control related to attendance. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis examined the correlates of attendance (n = 194, intervention group only). Results Controlling for mothers age, marital status, acculturation, and employment, attitudes and subjective norms were significantly related to attendance (odds ratio = 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–1.37; P < .001). Conclusions and Implications In these Mexican‐heritage participants, attitudes and subjective norms were significant correlates of attendance. The Theory of Planned Behavior may shed light on attendance of high‐risk groups but further testing of instruments is needed.

Purchases Made with a Fruit and Vegetable Voucher in a Rural Mexican-Heritage Community

Recent recommendations for US food assistance programs are intended to ensure foods provided through these programs help households consume a varied, healthful diet. From a policy viewpoint, it is important to examine the impact of economic incentives to purchase healthy foods across subpopulations, particularly low-income Latinos, who comprise 40% of the WIC program nationwide. Our aim was to determine how rural, Mexican-heritage households (N = 227) residing in California’s Central Valley distributed fruit and vegetable (F/V) voucher spending among F/V subgroups and specific items over a 1-year period. Households contained at least one child who was between 3 and 8 years old at baseline and had a parent of Mexican-heritage. F/V voucher purchase data were collected via grocery store scanners. Expenditure and frequency shares of subgroups and individual items were analyzed to determine purchasing habits. Fruits were the most commonly purchased subgroup, representing 55% of spending and 45% of frequency. Households allocated low percentages of their voucher to dark green and red/orange vegetables—7 and 9% respectively. Approximately 20% of purchases were good potassium sources and 30% of purchases were good fiber sources. Many of the most frequently purchased items were of cultural significance (tomatillo, chayote, chili/jalapeño pepper, and Mexican squash). This study suggests that economic incentives can contribute important nutrients to participants’ diets and targeted vouchers provided by food assistance programs should continue to include culturally important foods and be aware of the cultural values of their participants.

Sleep Duration and Obesity of Young Mexican-heritage Children in Rural California

Background: Short sleep duration may contribute to obesity and metabolic disease. The objective of this study was to characterize how sleep duration was associated with childhood obesity in two rural Mexican-heritage communities in California. Methods: Data were collected from children 4-8 years of age (N=148) in two rural communities in California. Trained staff conducted family demographic surveys and child anthropometric measurements. Continuous physical activity and sleep data were collected via a wrist-worn accelerometer for one week. Nightly sleep duration was examined among preschool (4-5 years) and school age (6-8 years) children against measures of weight status and BMI. Results: The majority of children (95%) measured in this study appeared to fall short of recommended sleep times. The mean duration of nightly sleep among children was 8.3 hours. Among children 6-8 years of age, sleep duration was marginally shorter among overweight/obese children compared to children of normal weight. Multiple regression showed body mass index percentile was negatively associated with sleep duration, among children whose families had been longer in the United States (p=0.015, R2=0.1352). Conclusion: Promoting longer sleep may be an important part of weight gain prevention once children reach school age, especially in Latino communities where acculturation is an additional risk factor for obesity.