Association Between the Extent of Acculturation with Eating Behaviors in Hispanic and African-American US Adolescents

Intro/background: Previous research, primarily in Hispanics, has reported less acculturation to be associated with more optimal eating habits. Few studies have examined this relationship in adolescents, or in other race/ethnic groups in relation to dietary behavior, including family meal frequency. The purpose of this study is to examine associations of youth’s acculturated category with fruit intake, fast food frequency, and family meal frequency overall and by race/ethnicity.

Methods: A nationally representative sample of US 10th graders (2009-2010 school year, N =2518) completed questionnaires for the NEXT Generation Health Study. Participants were categorized by generation status (1^st, 5.5%, 2^nd, 16.1%, or 3^rd, 78.5%), and home language use (only non-English, 6.3%, some English, 15.8%, or only English, 77.9%), and reported frequency of eating at a fast food restaurant (days/week), family meals (days/week) and fruit intake (times/day). Linear regressions, accounting for the complex survey design and controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, family affluence, parent education, and BMI were used to examine associations of acculturated categories and eating behaviors in the full sample, and separately for Blacks (n=485) and Hispanics (n=797), with the most acculturated category (3^rd generation and only English) as referent. Insufficient number of the less acculturated categories was found among Whites and other race/ethnicities precluding meaningful analysis.

Results: In the full sample, compared to the referent, first generation adolescents (least acculturated) more frequently consumed fruit (p=0.001). Being a 1^st generation adolescent and speaking only non-English at home was associated with less frequent fast food intake (p<0.01). Neither acculturation variable was associated with family meal frequency. In analyses by race/ethnicity, neither generation status nor home language use was associated with fruit intake. Among Blacks, speaking only non-English at home was associated with less frequent fast food intake; being a 1^st generation adolescent was associated with less frequent family meals (p<0.01). Among Hispanics, the least acculturated categories (p<0.05) reported less frequent fast food intake; no association was observed between acculturation variables and family meal frequency.

Discussion: As expected, dietary behaviors were less healthful among those more acculturated, with a lower intake of fruits and more frequent eating at fast food outlets. These findings varied when examined by race/ethnicity, suggesting a need for tailored approaches to prevention programs. Findings regarding family meals were significant among Blacks, suggesting this may be a useful avenue for research and intervention development to pursue.