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Research Project: Interplay of the Physical Environment, Social Domain, and Intrapersonal Factors on Nutrition and Physical Activity Related Health Behaviors in Children and Adolescents

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Title: Diet quality differences among racial/ethnic minorities by english vs non-english speaking household

Author
item Thomson, Jessica
item LANDRY, ALICIA - University Of Central Arkansas
item Walls, Tameka

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/7/2022
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare diet quality scores within racial/ethnic minorities by English vs non-English speaking household designation. Methods: Data from two cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2015-2016 and 2017-2018, were analyzed. Diet quality was assessed using the 2015 Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015) for which higher scores indicate more healthful eating and based on 24-hour dietary recalls. Households that spoke only, mostly, or equal amounts of English and non-English at home were classified as English speaking (ESH) households while those that spoke only or mostly non-English at home were classified as non-English speaking (NESH) households. Statistical methods for complex survey designs were used to analyze the data. Results: Based on 6601 participants =16 years of age, 53%, 51%, 46%, and 3% of Non-Hispanic Asians, other Hispanics, Mexican Americans, and Non-Hispanic blacks lived in NESH. Non-Hispanic Asians living in NESH had lower mean scores for sodium and refined grains but higher scores for saturated fats and added sugars than Non-Hispanic Asians living in ESH. Conversely, Mexican Americans and other Hispanics living in NESH had higher mean scores for total and whole fruit, refined grains, saturated fats, and total diet quality than their counterparts living in ESH. Non-Hispanic blacks living in NESH had higher mean scores for total and 6 of 13 diet quality components than non-Hispanic blacks living in ESH. Conclusions: Total and components of diet quality are higher for Hispanic and non-Hispanic black minorities living in NESH while results are mixed for non-Hispanic Asians living in NESH. However, total diet quality was low for all household groups (=60). Continued dietary guidance in multiple languages with culturally relevant materials is essential to communicate public health and nutrition guidance to promote healthy lifestyles for both ESH and NESH.