Food Hardship and Obesity in a Sample of Low-Income Immigrants

Caspi, Caitlin E.; Tucker-Seeley, Reginald; Adamkiewicz, Gary; Roberto, Christina A.; Stoddard, Anne M.; Sorensen, Glorian

doi:10.1007/s10903-016-0344-z

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Socioeconomic barriers, lifestyle and relative accessibility to grocery stores stocked with nutritious foods contribute to these disparities [ 5 ]. For example, 15.8% of Hispanic families of one study report experiencing food insecurity, which is associated with poor dietary quality and higher rates of obesity overall [ 25 ] and among low-income Hispanics [ 26 ], though this connection between food insecurity and obesity varies between low-income immigrant groups [ 27 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community clinic-based lifestyle change for prevention of metabolic syndrome: Rationale, design and methods of the ‘Vida Sana/healthy life’ program

Risica

McCarthy

Barry

et al. 2018

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications

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Purposeand Objectives: The risk of diseases associated with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is higher for Hispanics living in the northeastern United States than for other racial and ethnic groups. Higher risk of diabetes, high blood lipids, obesity and limited access to continuity of care are all factors that also contribute to disproportionately poorer chronic disease outcomes for Hispanics.Intervention approachThis article describes the planning and implementation of, and evaluation plans for the Vida Sana Program (VSP), a community-based group intervention created to address the identified MetS risks by encouraging healthier diet and physical activity behaviors among a low-income, largely Spanish speaking, and literacy limited uninsured population. Developed in response to recent calls for culturally-tailored interventions, VSP is conducted by trained bicultural/bilingual Navegantes, who deliver a culturally sensitive, fun and engaging eight-week, in-person educational series through group meetings. The intervention also includes a 40-page colorful, picture and graphic enhanced booklet to be used in the group setting and at home. The intervention focused on screening for MetS-associated disease risk factors, understanding chronic disease management, encouraging medication adherence, increasing physical activity, and healthful dietary changes such as limiting alcohol, sodium, unhealthy fats and excess carbohydrate intake, while emphasizing portion control, whole grains and healthy fats.ConclusionsThis creative, community-based approach fills an important gap in the community and in the public health literature, is well liked by health literacy limited patients, and will provide an important model of successfully engaging the Hispanic community on these important health issues.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community clinic-based lifestyle change for prevention of metabolic syndrome: Rationale, design and methods of the ‘Vida Sana/healthy life’ program

Risica

McCarthy

Barry

et al. 2018

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Likewise, a study of 146 households agricultural migrant workers in Mexico found that household food insecurity was associated with greater odds of obesity overall (OR = 5.18, 95% Cl 1.37, 19.6), but that the association varied significantly by gender such that risk was greater for women than men [ 13 ]. A similar study among 828 low-income immigrants in Boston, MA, showed that, in adjusted models, participants reporting food hardship were 17% more likely to be obese than those who did not report food hardship (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07, 1.29) [ 14 ]. A study using nationally representative NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) data also found greater odds of obesity among women who reported food insecurity (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.22, 1.62 ) [ 15 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food Insecurity and Cardiometabolic Conditions: a Review of Recent Research

et al. 2021

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Purpose of Review To understand recent literature that examines associations between food insecurity and cardiometabolic conditions and risk factors. We included original research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses on the topic of food insecurity and cardiometabolic risk published from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. Editorials, perspectives, and case reports were excluded. After the initial search, 3 reviewers selected studies for inclusion based on relevance and methods. Ultimately, fifty studies were included. Recent Findings We included 35 studies of adults (20 cross-sectional observational studies, 5 longitudinal observational studies, 5 interventional studies, and 5 meta-analyses/reviews). In adults, food insecurity is associated with greater prevalence of overweight/obesity (especially for women). It is also associated with hypertension, diabetes (including worse glycemic control and more diabetes complications), coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. We included 15 studies of children (11 cross-sectional observational studies and 4 longitudinal observational studies). In children, findings were more nuanced, and in particular, many studies did not find an association between food insecurity and overweight/obesity. However, authors noted that these conditions may not have had time to develop. With notable exceptions, many studies were cross-sectional, and there were few interventions. Summary There is a robust association between food insecurity and cardiometabolic conditions and risk factors in adults, but the picture is less clear in children. Overt cardiometabolic clinical conditions develop more rarely in children, but childhood experiences may set a trajectory for worse health later in life. Detailed life course epidemiologic studies are needed to better understand this relationship. Future interventions should examine how to reduce the prevalence of food insecurity, and how best to improve health for those who experience food insecurity.

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“…Food insecurity refers to “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods” (Bickel et al , 2000). Studies report food insecurity is associated with obesity in low income, ethnic minority populations (Dhurandhar, 2016; Caspi et al , 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Type 2 diabetes prevention and self-management among Nicaraguan ethnic minorities: findings from phase 3 of a community-based participatory research study

Lew

Mclean

Byers³

et al. 2017

IJHRH

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore physical environmental, medical environmental, and individual factors in a sample of ethnic minority adults with or at-risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) on the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua. Design/methodology/approach The study used a cross-sectional descriptive design guided by a community-based participatory research framework. Three coastal communities in the South Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAS) of Nicaragua were sampled. Inclusion criteria were: lay adult with or at-risk for T2D, ⩾21 years of age, self-identification as Creole or Miskito, and not pregnant. Convenience sampling procedures were followed. Data were collected via objective (A1C, height, and weight) and self-report (Pan American Health Organization surveys, Diabetes Care Profile subscales, and Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-12 (MOS SF-12) measures. Univariate and bivariate statistics were computed according to level of measurement. Findings The sample (N=112) was predominately comprised of Creoles (72 percent), females (78 percent), and mid-age (M=54.9, SD±16.4) adults with T2D (63 percent). For participants with T2D, A1C levels, on average, tended to be elevated (M=10.6, SD±2.5). Those with or at-risk for T2D tended to be obese with elevated body mass indices (M=31.7, SD±8.1; M=30.2, SD±6.0, respectively). For many participants, fresh vegetables (63 percent) and fruit (65 percent) were reported as ordinarily available but difficult to afford (91 and 90 percent, respectively). A majority reported that prescribed medication(s) were available without difficulty (56 percent), although most indicated difficulty in affording them (73 percent). A minority of participants with T2D reported receipt of diabetes education (46 percent). A1C levels did not significantly vary according to diabetes education received or not (M=10.9, SD±2.9; M=10.4, SD±2.5; t=−0.4, p=0.71). Participants at-risk for T2D were infrequently instructed, by a provider, to follow an exercise program (4.8 percent) or meal plan (4.8 percent) and receive diabetes education (2.38 percent). MOS SF-12 findings revealed participants with T2D (M=41.84, SD=8.9; M=37.8, SD±8.5) had significantly poorer mental and physical health quality of life relative to at-risk participants (M=45.6, SD±8.4; M=48.1, SD±9.5) (t=−2.9, p<0.01; t=−2.5, p=0.01). Research limitations/implications Salient physical environmental, medical environmental, and individual factors were identified in a sample of adults with or at-risk for T2D on Nicaragua’s Atlantic Coast. Practical implications Findings informed the development of community-based clinics to address the problem of T2D locally. Social implications The community-based clinics, housed in trusted church settings, provide culturally competent care for underserved ethnic minority populations with or at-risk for T2D. Originality/value This is the first quantitative assessment of the T2D problem among diverse ethnic groups in Nicaragua’s underserved RAAS.

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Food Hardship and Obesity in a Sample of Low-Income Immigrants

Cited by 13 publications

References 46 publications

Community clinic-based lifestyle change for prevention of metabolic syndrome: Rationale, design and methods of the ‘Vida Sana/healthy life’ program

Community clinic-based lifestyle change for prevention of metabolic syndrome: Rationale, design and methods of the ‘Vida Sana/healthy life’ program

Food Insecurity and Cardiometabolic Conditions: a Review of Recent Research

Type 2 diabetes prevention and self-management among Nicaraguan ethnic minorities: findings from phase 3 of a community-based participatory research study

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