Unhealthy weight control strategies: An outcome of body image and eating tensions in women of Mexican origin living in rural farming communities

Abstract

Unhealthy eating and weight control behaviors (UEWCB) are important but modifiable factors that contributes to obesity in majority and minority populations. Studies suggest that these behaviors are common in Mexican American women but most studies completed to date have focused on college enrolled MA women. Little is known about body weight concerns, eating and weight control behaviors in low acculturated immigrant Mexican women. This qualitative descriptive study utilized two focus groups with 15 women to identify and describe body weight and shape thoughts related to eating and weight control of low acculturated MA living in disadvantages economic situations. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze data and three main themes were identified: 1) Body weight values and concerns, 2) Eating and food, 3) Weight loss strategies and consequences. The first two themes, shared five subthemes including emotion, health, age, family and culture. Results suggest MA women experience weight concerns that are in conflict with food/eating values and experiences. This conflict is influenced by cultural, family and inter/intrapersonal factors and contributes UEWCB. The transition and assimilation to the U.S. is complex and dynamic, thus understanding how the conflict regarding body weight and food influence MA women’s health behaviors is important and provides valuable knowledge essential to guide further research and intervention development.

Understanding family functioning in mothers and daughters with obesity

“…Specifically, weight loss attempts and use of behavioural strategies aimed at increasing energy expenditure through physical activity and reducing energy consumption through reducing calories are associated with higher acculturated Latinas (Marquez et al, 2015 ). Moreover, use of home remedies, pills, supplements, and commercial weight loss products are commonly used methods among immigrant Latinas for reasons such as viewing “dieting” as too divergent from traditional meals and needing “quick and easy” methods to avoid interfering with family responsibilities and relationships (Agne et al, 2012 ; Lindberg et al, 2020 ; Stein et al, 2019 ). Women may also feel they have limited eating choices since American food may be perceived as unhealthy or bland (Davis et al, 2015 ; Taverno Ross et al, 2018 ).…”

“…The Latino immigrant experience is not homogenous, however, cumulative adverse experiences, such as discrimination, deportation fear, language barriers, job insecurity or economic hardship, and family separation, are proposed to contribute to obesity risk through increase in allostatic load (D’Alonzo et al, 2012 ). A cyclical pattern is also described where pressure to lose weight leads to failed attempts which affects their psychological health (Stein et al, 2019 ).…”