Traci Armstrong Florian

Hispanic Women in EFNEP Have Low Adherence With Dietary Guidelines Regardless of Acculturation Level

The research study evaluated the acculturation level and dietary patterns of 171 Hispanic women aged 18 to 60 years in the Extension/Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) to determine whether dietary guideline recommendations were met. Three dietary assessment instruments, an acculturation scale, and a bean purchasing questionnaire were completed with the EFNEP class entry forms. Less than 30% of the Hispanic-dominant and only 7% of bicultural and English-dominant women met the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations for fruits, vegetables, or legumes. Dietary quality declines with acculturation, but the diet of less acculturated Hispanic women may be inadequate beforehand.

Low-Income US Women Under-informed of the Specific Health Benefits of Consuming Beans.

Background Bean consumption can reduce chronic disease risk and improve nutrition status. Consumer knowledge of bean health benefits could lead to increased intakes. Low-income women have poorer health and nutrition, but their level of knowledge about bean health benefits is unknown. Beans are a familiar food of reasonable cost in most settings and are cultural staples for Hispanics and other ethnicities. Study objectives were to assess awareness of bean health benefits among low-income women, and to evaluate any differences by acculturation status for Hispanic women in the Southwestern United States. Methods A convenience sample of 406 primarily Mexican-origin (70%) low-income women completed a survey on knowledge of bean health benefits and general food behaviors. Principal components analysis of responses identified two summary scale constructs representing “bean health benefits” and “food behaviors.” Acculturation level was the main independent variable in chi-square or ANOVA. Results The survey completion rate was 86% (406/471). Most women agreed or strongly agreed that beans improved nutrition (65%) and were satiating (62%). Over 50% answered ‘neutral’ to statements that beans could lower LDL cholesterol (52%), control blood glucose (56%) or reduce cancer risk (56%), indicating indifference or possible lack of knowledge about bean health benefits. There were significant differences by acculturation for beliefs that beans aid weight loss and intestinal health. Scores on the bean health benefits scale, but not the food behavior scale, also differed by acculturation. Conclusions Limited resource women have a favorable view of the nutrition value of beans, but the majority did not agree or disagreed with statements about bean health benefits. Greater efforts to educate low-income women about bean health benefits may increase consumption and improve nutrition.

Nativity, Not Acculturation, Predicts SNAP Usage Among Low-income Hispanics With Food Insecurity

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program. Undocumented noncitizens are ineligible to receive SNAP benefits, but their children under age 18 or other qualified noncitizen family members may be eligible. Due to the recent economic recession as well as anti-immigrant legislation and sentiment in Arizona, it is possible that eligible low-income Hispanics are not participating in programs like SNAP that would alleviate hunger and food security. A self-administered survey on nutrition assistance program participation, demographics, food security, and acculturation was completed by a convenience sample of 352 women aged 18–65 years in metro Phoenix, Arizona. Fifty-one percent of participants were food secure. Significant differences in degree of food insecurity by acculturation status existed with 8% of Hispanic dominant women having “very low food security” in contrast to 19% of English dominant women (P = .003). Fifty percent received SNAP benefits, but more U.S.-born (54%) than non-U.S.-born (41%; P = .002) women participated. Greater efforts are needed to increase awareness of SNAP options among food insecure Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants, and especially non-native-born Latinas.